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NO.  92-80466 


MICROFILMED  1 992 
COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARIES/NEW  YORK 


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A  UTHOR  : 


TITLE: 


A  COLLECTION  OF 

MEMORIALS... 

PHILADELPHIA 

DATE: 

1788 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARIES 
PRESERVATION  DEPARTMENT 

BIBLIOGRAPHIC  MICRnFQRM  TAKHFT 


Original  Malerial  as  Filmed  -  IZxisting  Bibliographic  Record 


Master  Negative  # 
_3.'3liL6j:J_ 


4MiMiMP"IN 


1 


Vi^So  ColiecfioT]     ol    Tnemoric^ls    concern- 

inp    divers    decesisea    immslers    and    orners    of 
•fne,..  quoikers,    m    Pennsylvan/a,    New-  Jersey^ 
•eiy>.<^    parrs    adjacenl,    from     nearly    Ine   jWbt 
selTieTTnenl    -fhereoT   lo  '^  ..   1T8T-.. 

Pk.'l.    IT&?|](i67      0.    '-'    .  5\2/4-08  p. 


Restrictions  o-i  Use: 


TECI INICAL  MICROFORM  DATA 


REDUCTION     RATIO:        //>^ 


FILM     SIZE:_3S;/^j^ 

IMAGE  PLACliMENT:    IA~ll^~~lB     IID 

DATE     FILi\'rED-_    Z  ^'- 4  z^-?:,  tntitt 


c 


Association  for  Information  and  Image  Management 


1100  Wayne  Avenue,  Suite  1100 
Silver  Spring,  Maryland  20910 

301/587-8202 


Centimeter 


111 


llllliiiiliiiiliiilliiiiliiiiliiiilimjniiliiiili 


Inches 


li 


7 
iliiiiliii 


8 


ITT 


.0 


I.I 


1.25 


9 

i,«l 


10 

lJii 


|63 
Urn 

US. 
lU 

•-     u 


2.8 

IK 

m 


1.4 


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11       12       13       14 

imimjlmjjjm|mjhm 


2,5 


2.2 


2.0 


1.8 


1.6 


15    m 


m 


MflNUFPCTURED   TO   flllM   STRNDRRDS 
BY   APPLIED   IMAGE,    INC. 


f-^ 


^y. 


3  '^^^  r^'\i 


1 


338-  3& 


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in  tlt^  ®it3^  of  $l^w  ^atrit 


ibrarig. 


COLLECTION 


O    F 


MEMORIAL   S 

CONCERNING 

Divers  deccafed  Minifters  and    others 
of  the  People  called  Quakers, 

I  N 

Pennfylvania,  New-Jerfey,  and  Parts  adjacent, 
from  nearly  the  firft  Settlement  thereof  to  , 
the  Year  1787. 

With  fome  of  the  lafl:  ExprcJflions  and 
Exhortations  of  many  of  them. 


Not  by  works  of  righteoufnefs  which  we  have  done,  but  accord- 
ing  to  his  mercy  he  faved  us,  by  the  walhing  of  regenera- 
tion,  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghoft. — Titus  iii.  5. 


PHILADELPHIA    PRINTED: 

LONDON    REPRINTED,    AND    SOLD    BY    J.    PHILLIPS, 
CtORCE-YARD,   LOMBARD-STREET. 


MDCCLXXXVIII. 


c 


V 


N. 


PREFACE. 


ALTHOUGH  they,  who  are  departed 
■*^  hence  in  the  Lord,  can  receive  no  addi- 
tion to  their  happinefs  by  any  teftimonial  of 
their  furviving  friends,  however  juft;  yet  to 
the  wife  in  heart,  precious  is  the  memory  of  the 
truly  pious  and  upright,  whofe  humble  walk- 
ing in  the  fear  of  God  has  livingly  witnefled 
againft  the  appearance  of  evil  in  its  various 
transformations  ;  their  conformity  in  fpirit 
and  praftice  to  the  holy  law  of  the  Lord, 
evincing  the  delight  and  benefit  to  be  found 
therein  ;  for  **  Verily  there  is  a  reward  for  the 
**  righteous,  verily  he  is  a  God  that  judgeth 
**  in  the  earth/'  Pfalm  Iviii.  verfe  ii. 

*^  What  fcene  in  this  life  more  dignifies 
humanity  ?  what  fchool  is  more  profitably 
inftrudlive  than  the  death-bed  of  the  right- 
eous, imprefling  the  underllanding  With  a 
convincing  evidence,  that  they  have  not 
followed  cunningly  devifed  fables,  but  folid 
**  fubftantial  truth;  that  there  is  a  meafure  of 
divine  light  and  grace  in  man,  which  if  duly 
minded  and  obeyed,  is  fufficient  to  preferve 
through  all  the  viciffitudes  in  life,  to  give 
him  the  viflory  over  his  fpiritual  enemies, 
and  in   the  end  over  death,  hell,    and  the 


a 


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t< 


€C 


€€ 


€C 


i( 


€C 


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grave  : 


?"  * 


It 


*  Life  of  James  Gough,  page  53, 


mn 


^ 

X/ 


IV 


P    R     E     F     A 


C     E. 

It  is  right,  therefore,  that  the  remembrance 
of  thole  ihould  be  preferved,  whofe  liVhts 
have  fo  flione  before  men,  as  to  excite  the%e- 
holders  of  their  good  works  to  glorify  God, 
the  original,  and  fource  from  whom  all  good 
is  derived  ;  and  though  being  dead,  the  lullre 
of  their  pious  example  through  life,  and  on 
the  approach  of  death,  may  continue  to  fpeak 
the  inviting  language,  "  Folhiv  us  as  ive  ba-ce 
''followed  Chrijir 

VVith   this  view    our  yearly-meeting,   con- 
fidering  that  many  memorials  of  our  departed 
friends   lay  dormant  on  the  records,  direded  a 
ColJedion  to  be  made  of  fuch  of  them  as  were 
moft  likely  to  be  of  general  benefit  by  publi- 
cation,  which  the  committee  appointed  for  the 
fcrvice  having  performed  to  the  beft  of  their 
j^udgmcnt,  it  is  now  prefented  to  the  readers, 
fome  of  whom  will  be  reminded  of  the  fincere 
piety    and    virtue    of    their     anceftors,    who 
through  the  dangers  and  dimculties  to  which 
they  were    fubjected,    in    their   removal    from 
their  native  land,    and   forming  a  new  fettle- 
ment  in  a  wildernefs,  were  happily  preferved  ia 
a  lleady  attention   to  their  religious  duty,    and 
many  of  them  faithfully  engaged  in  promotino- 
the  caufe   of   truth  and   righteoufnefs   nmono- 
mankind,     to    whom  others    fucceeded,    who 
through  obedience  to  the  powerful   i-Huence 
of  divine  grace,  became  alike  eminent  in  their 
day,  and  ferviceable  in  the  church. 

The  following  Colledion  is  affeaionately 
recommended  to  the  dcfcendints  of  thofe  wor- 
thies, to  the  readers  in  general,  and  particular- 
ly to  the  youth,  who  may  derive  profitable  in- 

firudion 


PREFACE.  V 

ftrucflion  by  a  ferious  cbfervation  of  .the  happy 
effeds  of  an  early  devotion  of  heart,  and  the 
inexpreflible  advantages  of  embracing  the  mer- 
ciful vifitation  of  the  Moft  High,  to  fecure 
their  true  comfort  in  this  life,  and  enduring 
felicity  in  that  which  is  to  come. 

Though  the  language  and  ftyle  of  thcfe  me- 
morials may  not  be  calculated  to  pleafe  fuch 
curious  readers,  who,  in  their  eftimate  of  the 
value  of  a  Book,  are  too  much  amufed  by  the 
difplay  of  wit  and  literary  accompliiliments  in 
the  compofition,  to  give  due  attention  to  the 
inftruftive  import  of  an  artlefs  account  of  the 
Chriftian  experiences  of  thofe,  who  have  not 
been  fo  folicitous  for  the  approbation  of  men, 
as  to  be  found  humble  followers  of  Chrift^ 
their  meek  and  lowlv  Pattern  and  Redeemer; 
but  it  is  hoped,  that  there  are  many  to  whom 
the  contents  of  this  Collection  will  afford  in- 
formation, edification,  and  encouragement  in 
the  purfuit  of  their  moll:  fubftantial  intereil,  a 
lile  of  true  wifdom,  piety,  and  virtue ;  and 
that  the  number  of  fuch  may  increafe  is  the 
defign  of  the  following  publication. 

Philadelphia,   12th  Month,   1787, 


I 


A  N 


ihrU: 


.s-A-     \.  Jrt^.3a 


A    N 


ALPHABETICAL 


I         N 


D 


E 


X. 


T, 


Homas  Atkinfon 
Peter  Andrews 

B 

John  Bevan 
Jofeph  Booth 
Thomas  Brown 
Obadiah  Borton 
Rachel  Brown 
Anthony  Bene zet 


Vincent  Caldwell 
Aaron  CoppocJc 
Hannah  Carpenter 
Thomas  Chalkley 
Efther  Clare 
John  Cadwalader 
Hannah  Cooper 
Jofeph  Cooper 
Betty  Caldwell 
Hannah  Carle  ton 
Ifaac  Child 
Grace  Croafdale 
John  Churchman 

D 

John  Delaval 
James  Daniel,  fenior 


Page 

9 
56 


D 

Lj^dia  Dean 
Nicholas  Davis 
Elizabeth  Daniel 
James  Daniel  (id) 


88 
167  John  Ecklcy 
195  Rowland  Ellis 
368  Jofeph  El  gar 
381  John  Ellaugh 

Cadwalladar  Evans 

Evan  Evans 

John  Evans 
54  Elizabeth  Ellaugh 
60  Ellen  Evans 


79 
90 

lOI 

no 

H7 

159 
172 

181 

249 

258 

300 


Margaret  Ellis 
Mary  Evans 
Mary  Emlen 
Thomas  Evans 


16 
61 


Abraham  Farrington 
Peter  Fearon 
Jofiah  Fofter 
William  Foulkc 
Hannah  Fofter 
Riichel  Farquhar 
William  Farquhar 
David  Ferris 


Page 
142 

154 
191 

328 


ir 

85 

91 
III 

121 

128 
163 

195 
218 

226 

257 

344 
3^0 


178 

202 
260 

309 
331 
342 

357 
302 


N   D 


E   ^X. 


Page 

Page 

Jofeph  Glaifter 

53 

Roger  Longworth 

4 

Alice  Griffith 

131 

Thomas  Langhorne 

6 

Thomas  Goodwin 

299 

Thomas  Lloyd 

20 

Jofeph  Gibfon 

341 

Thomas  Lightfoot 

59 

John  Lee 

63 

H 

James  Lord 

6^ 

William  Levis 

124 

Cuthbert  Hayhurft 

I 

Thomas  Lancafter 

143 

James  Harrifon 

8 

William  Ladd 

144 

William  Haig 

49 

Michael  Lightfoot 

148 

Mary  Haig 

51 

Jofhua  Lord 

193 

Hannah  Hill 

65 

Samuel  Large 

22> 

Jacob  Holcombe 

130 

Mary  Lippincott 

274 

William  Hammans 

150 

Rachel  Lippincott 

362 

Kaac  Hollingfworth 

188 

Sufanna  Lightfoot 

371 

Ifaac  Hornor 

194 

Elizabeth  Haydock 

206 

M 

Ellis  Hugh 

207 

William  Hunt 

275 

Anthony  Morris 

57 

William  Home 

294 

Mofes  Mendenhall 

*^  r 

87 

Zebulon  Hefton 

324 

Sufanna  Morris 

152 

Mary  Hornor 

326 

Sarah  Murfin 

200 

John  Hallowell 

354 

William  Mott 

223 

Jofeph  Hufband 

400 

Mary  Moore 

231 

Abraham  Marfhall 

239 

I 

Sarah  Milhoufe 

308 

Sarah  Morris 

313 

Thomas  Janney 

26 

Benjamin  Jordan 

41 

0 

Robert  Jordan 

«3 

^ 

Jofeph  Jordan 

93 

Robert  Owen 

28 

Robert  Jordan  (2rl) 

102 

Robert  and  Jane  Owen 

3^ 

Jane  Jones 

1S2 

Cadwallader  Jones 

185 

P 

Dinah  James 

228 

Samuel  John 

234 

Ellis  Pugh 

45 

Jofeph  Jones 

350 

Caleb  Pufey 

64 

Griffith  John 

35^ 

Ann  Parfon 

89 

William  and  Katha-  1 
i-ine  Jackfon           3 

Samuel  Preflon 

118 

395 

Margaret  Prefton 

119 

Thomas  Pleafants 

119 

K 

Sarah  Pleafants 

134 

Ifrael  Pemberton 

145 

Edmund  Kinfey 

190 

Agnes  Penquite 

184 

Mary  Knight 

245 

Mary  Pennel 

213 

N 


D 


X. 


Rachel  Pemberton 
Mary  Pemberton 


iames  RadclifF 
Lugh  Roberts 
Ann  Roberts 
Thomas  Redman 
Edward  Roberts 
John  Ridgway 
John  Reynell 


John  Simcock 
Eleanor  Smith 
John  Smith 
Ehzabeth  Small 
Sarah  Shotwell 
Eleanor  Shotwell 
John  Smith     (2d) 
John  Scarborough 
Daniel  Stanton 
Elizabeth  Shipley 
Edith  Sharpies 


Chriflopher  l^aylor 
Richard  Townfend 
William  IVotter 


Page 
215 

359 


12 

32 

139 
232 

244 

296 

392 


Evan  Thomas 
Jofeph  Tomlinfon 
Thomas  Tilton 
Benjamin  Trotter 
John  Thomas 
Ephraim  Tomlinfon 
Phebe  Trimble 

U 


34 

37 

39 

43 
186 

201 

235 

255 

262 

345 
403 


John  Vail 


W 


3 

95 

^3^ 


William  Walker 
Henry  White 
'Chrirtopher  Wilfon 
Elizabeth  Wyatt 
Anna  Webfter 
Thomas  Wood 
John  Wool  man 
Jofeph  White 
Efther  White 


William  Yardley 
Nathan  Yarnall 


Pagf 
150 

i«3 

205 

241 
272 
370 

39^ 


Alexander  Underwood       238 


297 


18 

39 

95 

197 

247 

280 

333 

347 


13 

3^^  5 


A    COLLECTION 


m-Wip  'tf"JW«wa*»«wr«TKr<fc  ntsstg-ipy^  , 


-t*^  •tT'T-    jWi-B  lftatV5«~  ■»  i  » 


COLLECTION 


O    F 


Memorials  or  Testimonies 


CONCERNING 


Divers  Ministers  and  Elders  deceafed. 


^n  AbJlraSl  ^Nicholas  Wain's  TeJli?7iony,  con^ 
cerning  that  faithful  ferva?it  of  the  Lord, 
CuTHBERT  Hayhurst,  who  departed  this 
life,  at  his  own  houfe  in  the  county  of  Bucks, 
in   Pennfylvania,  about   the    t^th  of  the  firjl 

Month,   1682-3,  near  the  fiftieth  year  of  his 
age. 

HE  was  born  at  Eafington,  In  Holland^  in 
the  county  of  York,  in  Old  England, 
and  was  one  of  the  worthies  in  Ifrael.  My 
fpirit  is  comforted  in  a  fenfe  of  that  power, 
which  did  attend  him  in  our  meetings,  for  many 
years  in  the  land  of  our  nativity,  and  alfo  after 
he  came  into  thefe  parts ;  having  been  a  valiant 
foldier  for  the  truth,  and  bore  a  faithful  tefti- 
rnony  to  the  fame,  in  word,  life,  and  converfa- 
tion.     He  went  through  many  great  exercifes 

B  and 


!5t™WVWW'**^"''K  '  *aA'*' 


i^ 


(     2     ) 

and  imprifonments,  and  was  a  comfort  unto  the 
faithful  and  true  believers,  vfho follow  the  Lamb 
through  many  tribulations.  He  was  a  worthy 
inftrument  in  the  Lord's  hand,  againft  the  falfe 
teachers  and  hirelings,  going  feveral  times  to 
their  fteeple-houfes,  and  teftifying  againft  their 
deceiving  the  people.  He  alfo  went  to  feveral 
market  towns,  and,  at  their  crofles,  declared 
and  publiflied  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jefus.  I  ac- 
companied him  and  his  dear  wife  at  one  of 
them,  where  he  faithfully  warned  the  people, 
and  exhorted  them  to  repentance;  the  divine 
power  and  prefence  eminently  attending  him, 
which  my  foul  was  made  fenfible  of  to  my  com- 
fort and  fatisfadion.  I  can  fay  he  was  of  great 
fervice  to  me  and  many  others,  being  inftrumen- 
tal  in  bringing  us  near  unto  the  Lord,  whofe 
name  overall  we  have  caufe  to  blefs  on  his  be- 
half; and  although  his  body  is  gone  to  the 
earth,  his  memorial  liveth  among  the  righte- 
ous, and  I  am  perfuaded  his  foul  is  in  the  en- 
joyment of  peace  with  the  Lord.  I  was  often 
with  him  in  the  time  of  his  ficknefs,  and  be- 
held his  meek,  innocent  and  lamb-like  deport- 
ment; being  alfo  by  his  bed-fide  when  he  de- 
parted, which  was  in  a  quiet  and  truly  refign- 
cd  frame,  like  one  falling  into  a  fweet  fleep; 
fo  that  I  have  great  caufe  to  believe  he  is  one 
of  thofe  that  died  in  the  Lord,  and  is  at  reji  with 
him  for  ever. 

NICHOLAS  JVALN. 


i 


•I 


William 


(    3    )     '        ' 

William  Yardley's  Tejiimony  concerni>ig  Chris- 
topher Taylor,  who  died  about  the  vear 
1686.  ^ 

HE  was  one  of  the  Lord's  worthies,  ftrong 
and  fteadfaft  in  the  faith,   very  zealous 
for  the  truth,  and  careful  for  the  church;  his 
life  being  hid  with  God  in  Chrift.     His  m'inif- 
try  flood  not  in  the  wifdom  of  the  flefh,  but  ia 
the  power  of  God.     It  was  the  birth  born  from 
above,  that  could  receive  him,  and  was  refrefhed 
by  him.     In  a  word,   he  was  a  Jew  inward, 
whofe  praife  is  not  of  men,  but  of  God.  ^  And 
forafmuch   as  he  was  a  man  thus  qualified,  I 
could  not  well  be  fatisfied  that  fo  worthy  a  man 
as  dear  Chriftopher  Taylor,  fhould  be  buried  in 
oblivion.     His  chiefcft  joy  was  to  feel  friends 
in  the  invifible  life;  and  although  many  exer- 
cifes  did  attend  him  for  the  truth's  fake,  he  was 
Jaithful  unto  the  death,  and  fo  has  received  a 
cro^vn  of  life ;  and  though  his  departure  from 
us  js  our  lofs,  yet  it  is  his  gain ;  for  blefed  are 
the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord,   they  rejl  from 
their  labours,  and  their  works  do  follow  them. 

WILLIAM  TARDLET. 

It  appears  our  faid  friend  came  from  Old 
England,  his  native  country,  on  a  religious  vifit 
to  New  England,  in  the  year  1675  ;  afterwards 
mto  Pennfylvania,  among  the  firft  Englifh,  and 
fettled  at  Philadelphia.  "  He  was  of  confider- 
able  fervice  in  public  affairs,  and  very  adive  in 
fettling  meetings  for  difcipline  in  thofe  early 

^  ^  times; 


1 


(     4     ) 

times ;  the  firft  of  that  fort  for  the  women  be- 
ing held  at  his  houfe  in  1683. 


William  Yardley  ^W  Phineas  Pemberton's  Tef^ 
timony  concerning  Roger  Longworth, 

HE  was  born  at  Longworth,  near  Bolton, 
in  Lancafhire.  We  were  well  acquaint- 
ed with  him  almoft  from  the  time  of  his  con- 
vincement,  being  a  man  of  a  peaceable  difpo- 
fition,  gentle  and  mild,  ready  and  willing  to 
ferve  his  friend  to  the  utmoft  of  his  ability,  and 
a  very  diligent  labourer  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord,  willing  to  fpend  and  be  fpent,  not  count- 
ing any  thing  in  this  world  too  dear  to  part 
with,  for  the  fame.  The  Lord  did  eminently 
blefs  his  miniftry,  whereunto  he  was  called 
about  the  year  1672,  and  travelled  fometimes 
in  that  work,  in  his  own  country  until  1675  ; 
after  which  time  he  was  wholly  given  up  and 
devoted  to  the  fervice  of  the  Lord,  travelling 
much  in  England,  where  he  fuffered  imprifon- 
ment  in  feveral  places.  Six  times  he  pafTed 
through  Holland,  and  fome  others  of  thofe  pro- 
vinces J  alfo  part  of  Germany  and  thereabout : 
feveral  times  as  far  as  Dantzick,  where  he  la- 
boured much  for  the  releafe  of  friends,  who 
then  were  prifoners  there,  writing  to  the  kin^ 
magiftrates  and  officers  on  their  behalf.  At 
Embden,  where  friends  were  fufferers,  he  la- 
boured for  their  freedom,  and  it  being  a  time 
of  hot  perfecution,  went  through  the  ftreets, 
warning  the  people  to  repent  of  their  wicked- 


'I 

I 

i 


(  5  ) 

nefs,  where  they  kept  him  two  nights  a  prifo* 
ner.    At  another  time  in  the  faid  place,  he  de- 
livered a  paper  to  the  council,  relating  to  the 
liberty  of  friends  j  after  the  reading  whereof, 
he  was  called  into  the  council  room  and  receiv- 
ed in  a  friendly  manner,  with  promifes  of  free- 
dom to  the  people  called  Quakers,   in  matters 
of  faith  and  worfhip  ;  he  alfo  had  good  fervice 
with  magiftrates,   lawyers,   priefls    and  colle- 
gians, and  was  feveral  times  a  prifoner  in  thofe 
parts.     Five  times  he  palTed  through  Ireland, 
viliting  friends,   where  he   had  good  fervice, 
fometimes  among  the  Irilh  when  at  mafs.  Once 
he  pafTed  through  fpart  of  Scotland,   twice  at 
Barbadoes,   once  through   New-England  and 
Virginia,  twice  in  Maryland  and  the  ]tv{ty^^ 
and  twice  at  Pennfylvania;  having  travelled  by 
land  above  20,000  miles;  his  travels  by  water 
not  being  much  lefs.  And  though  he  was  often 
in  ftorms  and  tempefts  at  fea,  perils  by  land, 
and  met  with  bad  fpirits  and  exercifes  of  divers 
kinds,  yet  the  Lord  flood  by  him,  and  made 
him  a  fuccefsful  inflrument  in  his  hand  :  cheer- 
fully pafling  through  them  all,   by  the'power 
of  him  that  called  him  thereto,  not  being  flack 
to  labour  in  word  and  dodrine,  wherever  he 
came,  to  the  edifying  of  the  brethren,   and  re- 
conciling things  where  he  found  them  amifs : 
fettling  and    eftablifliing    meetings    in    many 
parts  where  he  came,  to  the  great  comfort  and 
rcfrefhment  of  the  upright  in  heart,  by  which 
he  got  a  name  amongfl  the  ancients,  and  is  re- 
corded among  the  worthies  of  the  Lord.     Not 
long  after  his  arrival  in  Pennfylvania,  he  was 
taken  ill  with  a  fever ;  his  diflemper  was  vio- 

B  3  lent 


(    6    ) 

lent  upon  him,  yet  he  bore  it  patiently,  and 
pafled  away  like  a  lamb,  leaving  a  good  favour. 
And  though  the  name  of  the  wicked  Jhall  rot\ 
yet  the  righteous  Jhall  be  had  in  everlajiing  re- 
viembrance. 

WILLIAM  TARDLLT, 
FHINEAS  PEMBERTON. 

He  died  the  yth  of  the  fixth  month,  1687, 
about  the  fifty-feventh  year  of  his  age. 


John  Hayton*s  Tejiimony  concerning  Thomas 
Langhorne,  who  died  at  h is  own  habita- 
tion in  Bucks  county ^  Pennfylvania,  the  6tb 
of  the  eighth  months  1687. 

I  KNEW  him    14  years,  he   having   been 
made  inflrumental  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord, 
to   turn   me  from   the  evil  of  my   ways,  and 
from  darknefs  to   his  marvellous  light ;  and  I 
am  a  witnefs   that  he  held  his  integrity  until 
the  linifhing  of  his  courfe,   according  to   the 
faying  of  David,  *'  Mark  the  perfedt  man,  and 
behold  the  upright ;  for  the  end  of  that  man  is 
peace:"    and  therein  he  laid  down   his  head. 
Having  experienced  the  work  of  regeneration 
in  himfelf,  he  became  qualified  to  llrengthea 
the  brethren,  and   went  forth  in  the  miniftry 
and  word  of  life,  preaching  the  everlaiting  <>of- 
pel  of  Jefus  Chrift;  having  freely  received,^  he 
ireely  gave,  not  fearing  man,  but  obeying  God, 
who  had  committed  a  large  meafure,  and  clear 
manifeftation  of  his  fpirit  unto  him,  not  only 

for 


1 


(    7    ) 

for  his  own  profit  and  benefit,  but  many  others 
received  comfort  thereby;  for  his  doftrine  drop- 
ped as  the  rain,  and  his  fpeech  diftilled  as  the 
dew,  to  the  renewing  and  refrefhing  the  feed 
and  plant  of  God. 

Thus  he  went  forth  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  and  was  valiant  for  truth  upon  earth  ^ 
and  though  many  weapons  were  formed,  and 
many  tongues  rofe  up  againft  him,  yet  the  di- 
vine power  which  flopped  the  mouths  of  lions, 
and  quenched  the  violence  of  fire,  girded  him 
with  ftrength  and  valour,  whereby  he  was  en- 
abled to  encounter  all  his  enemies ;  and  fuch  as 
endeavoured  to  flop  the  work  which  God  has 
begun  in  the  earth.  After  fome  time,  he  with 
his  wife  and  two  children  came  into  this  coun- 
try, and  whilflhere,  he  bore  a  living,  found  and 
faithful  teftimony  for  the  Lord  God,  to  the 
great  fatisfacflion  and  comfort  of  the  faithful  ia 
this  wildernefs,  where  his  lot  did  fall.  For 
having  had  the  opportunity  of  being  with  him 
here  in  this  folitary  country,  as  well  as  in  our 
native  land,  both  in  private  and  publick  places; 
I  am  a  witnefs  according  to  my  meafure,  that 
the  power  and  prefence  of  the  Lord  did  greatly 
attend  him  in  preaching  the  everlafting  truth. 
After  he  was  taken  fick,  he  grew  weaker  until 
his  departure,  faying,  *^  The  will  of  the  Lord 
be  done.*'  His  (hort  continuance  here  caufed 
many  to  mourn  when  he  was  taken  from  them, 
yet  not  as  thofe  that  mourn  without  hope,  for 
though  he  be  dead,  yet  he  lives,  and  though  his 
removal  is  our  lofs,  it  is  his  gain. 

JOHN  HATTON. 


B 


William 


jJM 


\4 


(    8    ) 

William   Yardlcy  a»J    Phlneas    Pcmberton's 
Tejmony  concerning  James  Harrison. 

THAT  the  righteous  may  not  be  buried 
in  oblivion,    we  give   forth  this   fliort 
teltimony  concerning  our  well  beloved  friend 
James  Harrifon,  who  was  born  near  Kendal 
m  Weftmoreland,  and  in  the  breaking  forth 
of  the  truth  in  thofe  parts  he  was  early  con- 
vinced thereof,  and  in  a  fhort  time  after,  came 
forth  in  a  publick  teftimony  for  the  fame.    His 
miniftry  was  not  "  In  the  wlfdom  of  this  world, 
Jn"J.>    l''"°''Miion  of  thejpirit  and  power 
Of  Ijod   ■  hy  which  many  were  convinced,  the 
ferpent  s  head  was  broken,  the  wifdom  of  the 
llefli  confounded,  and  feveral  came  forth  in  a 
living  teftimony  for  God,  who  were  beeotten 
to  the  Lord  by  him,  and  ftijl  remain  feals  of 
his   miniftry.      As    he    was    inftrumental    in 
iurmng  many  to  God,  (o  he  was  helpful  in  the 
eftabliflung  of  fuch  as  were  converted,   beine 
a  good   pattern,    as    well    in  converfation   as 
doftnne,  u'«W  uprightly  as  in  the  day-time, 
being  bold  and  valiant  for  the  truth,  in  oppof- 
ing  its  enemies,  whether  profeflbrs  or  profane 
though  they  often  raged  fore  againft  him,  fo 
ttiat  his  luffcnngs  were  very  great,   both  bv 
imprifonment   and   fpoil    of   goods  i    yet    he 
always   with  great  courage   fteadily  kept  his 
ground  againft  all  thofe  that  rofe  up  againft 
him  for  the  truth's  fake,  which  was  of  more 
jvorth  to  him  than  all  outward  enjoyments. 
Jn  the  year  ,682,  he  removed  with  his  family 
into  Pennfylvania,  and  as  his  teftimony  was  in 

the 


(    9    ) 

-        the  power  of  God,  when  in  the  land  of  his 
i        nativity,  fo  it  was  when  here,  he  being  like- 
wife  ferviceable  many  ways.     And  though  he 
1         had   great   concerns   in    this    world,    yet   he 
,         earneftly  laboured  to  keep  a  confcience  void  of 
offence,  being  a  man  of  a  peaceable  fpirit,  and 
]         the  Lord's  power  kept  him  a  fweet  lavour  to 
the  end.      He  bore  his   ficknefs  with  much 
patience,    though  often   greatly  bowed  down 
therewith  to  the  time  of  his  departure,  laying 
down  his  head  in  peace,  and  palling  away  in 
much  ftillnefs  the  fixth  of  the  eighth  month, 
1687,  in  the  fifty-ninth  year  of  his  age  :  His 
removal  being  our  lofs,  but  his  gain,  for  blef- 
fed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  hordy  they  reft 
from  their  labours ^   and  their  works  do  follow 

WILLIAM  TARDLET. 
PHINEAS  PEMBERTON. 


I 


Jane  Atkinfon's  T'ejlimony  concerning  her  late 
hufband  Thomas  Atkinson.  ' 

HE  was  born  at  Newby  in  the  County  of 
York,  being  the  fon  of  John  Atkinfon, 
of  Thrufh-Crofs,  was  convinced  of  the  truth, 
and  had  received  a  gift  of  the  miniftry  before 
I  knew  him.  We  were  joined  in  marriage  in 
the  year  1678,  and  lived  together  in  love  and 
unity.  He  was  a  zealous  man  for  the  truth, 
and  according  to  the  gift  which  he  had  receiv- 
ed, bore  a  faithful  teltimony  unto  it,  of  which 
many   were   witneffes   in   that   country  from 

whence 


Ilfl^f 


'      (       lO       ) 

whence  we  came.     In  1682  we  came  into  this 
country,  with  one  confent,  and  in  th-  unity  of 
our  dear  friends  and  brethren,  who  gave  a  good 
teftimony  for  us,  by  a  certificate  from  their 
monthly  meeting;  and  my  foul  hath  good  caufe 
to  blefs  the  Lord,    and  to  prize  his  mercies, 
whofe  prefence  was  with  us  by  fea  and  land! 
Since  we  came  into  this  part  of  the  world,  he 
retained  his  love  and  zeal  for  God  and' his 
truth,  his  treafure  not  being  in  this  world,  and 
as  it  often  opened  in  his  heart,  did  exhort  others 
to  ftand  loofe  from  things  which  are  here  be- 
low, and  diligently  feek  after  thofe  things  that 
are  above.     He  was  a  tender  hufband,  ready  to 
encourage  and  ftrengthen  me  in  that  which  is 
good.     About  the  latter  end  of  the  fifth  month 
1687,  he  was  taken  with  the  ague  and  fever, 
which  much  weakened  his  body,  in  which  he 
continued  a  confiderable  time:  being  well  con- 
tent with  the  dealings   of  the  Lord,  his  heart 
was  often  opened  in  prayer  and  fupplication 
unto  his  God,  to  preferve  him  in  patience  unto 
the  end  of  his  days,  and  that  none  of  us  might 
think  hard  of  any  of  thofe  exercifes  that  he  is 
pleafed  to  try  us  withal.     At  times  he  would 
look  upon  me  and  fay.  My  dear  wife,  the  Lord 
preferve  thee  and  take  care  of  thee,  for  I  muft 
leave  thee,  and  go  to  my  reji  i  with  many  more 
fweet  and  heavenly  expreffions   and  exhorta- 
tions, in  the  time  of  his  great  weaknefs,  which 
continued  until  the  31/  of  the  eighth  month, 
when  he  once  more  exhorted  me  to  be  content, 
and  that  I  would  defire  his  brother  (who  was 
then  abfent)  to  be  content  alfo :  After  which 
he  paiTed  away  as  one  falling  into  a  quiet  fleep. 

And 


(     "     ) 

And  as  the  Lord  hath  hitherto  been  my  ftrength 
i  and  my  ftay  in  the  time  of  my  great  diftrefs,  fo 
the  defire  of  my  heart  is,  that  I,  with  my  bre- 
thren and  fifters,  who  yet  remain  behind,  may 
alfo  finifti  our  courfe  in  faithfulnefs,  that  in 
the  end  we  may  receive  the  fame  reward  with 
i        the  righteous  that  are  gone  before. 

^  JANE   ATKINSON. 


Samuel  Jenning's  Tejiimony  concerning  John 
EcKLEY,  of  Philadelphia  in  Pennfylvania, 
who  died  about  the  year  1690. 

I  AM  perfuaded  it  is  a  juftice  due  to  the 
righteous,  and  a  duty  upon  us,  to  contri- 
bute fomething  to  perpetuate  the  names  of  fuch 
who  have  left  a  fragancy  behind  them,  and 
through  faith  have  obtained  a  good  report .  Though 
their  bodies  Deep  in  the  grave,  and  by  divine 
appointment  they  die  like  other  men,  yet  this 
fignal  difference  hath  the  Lord  declared,  "The 
memory  of  thejuji  is  blejjed,  but  the  name  of  the 
wicked  Jhall  rot,  Prov.  x.  7.  And  to  give 
teftimony  to  thofe  that  die  in  the  Lord,  is  not 
only  juft  to  them,  but  is  very  ufeful  to  the 
living ;  as  many  under  great  conflidts  of  fpirit 
have  experienced,  that  it  hath  been  to  their 
comfort  and  ftrength,  to  hear  or  read  of  the 
faithfulnefs  and  conftancy  of  God  to  his  own 
in  all  ages,  and  how  he  hath  in  due  time  made 
them  more  than  conquerors,  and  crowned  their 
end  with  peace  and  dominion.  Thefe  con- 
fiderations,  together  with  the  fincere  affedtion 

^  I  had 


(      12      ) 

I  had  for  this  our  dear  friend,  hath  prevailed 
with  me,  ,n  truth  and  fobernefs.  to  give  the 
following  teftimony  concerning  him.      As  a 
man  he  was  pleafant,  courteous,  difcreet  and 
grave,  and  in  public  fervices  accompanied  the 
foremoft.       7 he  -word  of  nvifdom   Ls  in  his 
mouth     and  he  had  received  the  tongue  of  the 
learned,  to  /peak  in  due  Jeafon.     I  might  truly 
fay  much  of  his  innocency,  love  and  zeal  for 
truth,  which  hath  left  a  lively  impreffion  upon 
the  hearts  of  many.     His  laft  ficknefs  was  the 
^'"^".P°'^'  a  diftemper  often  known  to  be  very 
afflidingj    notwithftanding  which,  he  cheer- 
fully and  contentedly  fubmitted  to  the  provi- 
dence of  God  in  it,  upon  all  occafions  expref- 
ling  a  free  and  hearty  refignation  to  his  will  • 
and  was  frequently  filled  with  praifes  to  God' 
and  inltru(aions  to  his  people.  ' 

SAMUEL   JENNINGS 


t 


(     13     ) 

a  prifoner  upon  truth's  account,  when  about 
fifteen  years  of  age;  after  which  his  mouth 
was  opened  to  bear  a  public  teftimony  for  the 
Lord,  and  his  bleffed  truth,  travelling  many 
miles,  and  undergoing  many  hardfliips,  im- 
prifonments,  and  other  exercifes.  And  after 
we  were  married,  he  alfo  pafled  through  many 
deep  fuffcrings  and  imprifonments,  but  the 
Lord  preferved  him  through  them  all :  And  as 
he  was  of  a  mild  lamb-like  difpofition,  and 
lived  an  innocent  harmlefs  life,  fo  he  ended  his 
days  in  innocency,  and  being  redeemed  from 
the  earth,  laid  down  his  head  in  peace.  And 
though  his  body  be  gone  to  the  duft,  from  whence 
it  came,  yet  his  fpirit  is  afcended  to  God  who 
gave  it ;  and  his  living  tellimony  and  good  fa- 
vour that  he  hath  left,  are  comfortable  memo- 
rials upon  my  mind,  defiring  I  may  fo  live  and 
fo  finiili  my  courfe  as  he  hath  done. 

MART   RAD  CLIFF. 


i 


Mary  RadcliiTs  reftimony  concerning  her  late 
hujband  James  Radcliff,  who  died  in  or 
about  the  year  1690. 

HE  was  an  innocent  man,  and  one  that 
did  truly  fear  the  Lord,  and  wifhed  the 
we  fare  of  all.  It  was  his  chiefeft  care,  faith- 
fully to  ferve  the  Lord,  and  obey  him  in  what- 
soever he  required;  and  it  was  often  in  his 
heart  to  exhort  others  to  faithfulnefs,  and  to 
improve  the  gift  which  the  Lord  had  committed 
to  them.  I  knew  him  when  he  was  young,  we 
both  belonging  to  the  fame  meeting.     He  was 

a  prifoner 


Thomas  Janney's  Tejlimony  concerning 
William  Yardley. 

HE  was  born  near  Leek,  in  the  north  part 
of  StafFordfliire,  of  honeft  parents,  who 
brought  him  up  in  the  employment  of  a  far- 
mer. In  his  youth  he  fought  more  after  the 
knowledge  of  God  and  the  things  of  his  king- 
dom, than  the  fading  vanities  or  momentary 
pleafures  of  this  world,  and  therefore  joined 
himfelf  in  fociety  with  a  people  that  were  then 
the  higheft  in  profeffion  in  thofe  parts,   who 

called 


pi 


(     H    ) 

called  themfelves  the  family  of  love^  among 
whom  he  walked  for  fome  time ;  but  when  it 
pleafed  the  Lord  to  fend  two  of  his  faithful 
meffengers,  called  in  fcorn  Quakers,  out  of  the 
north  of  England  into  the  parts  where  William 
lived,  he  received  their  tellimony,  as  did  alfo 
feveral  others  of  the  aforefaid  fociety.     But 
this  my  friend  received  the  truth  with  a  ready 
mind  and  gladnefs  of  heart,  and  thought  no- 
thing too  dear  to  part  with  for  it,  yea,  it  was 
precious  to  him  as  the  pearl  of  great  price^  and 
it  wrought  effedlually  in   him,    not  only  in 
opening  his  under/landing,  but  alfo  in  its  va- 
rious operations,  both  to  wound  and  to  heal, 
to  purge  out  the  old  leaven,  and  to  leaven  anew 
into  its  holy  nature  and  quality.    And  as  the 
Lord  had  made  him  a  living  witnefs  of  the 
power  and  life  of  truth  in  himfelf,  he  called 
him  to  bear  a  teftimony  to  the  truth  as  he  had 
received  it,  and  alfo  againft  the  falfe  ways  and 
worfhips  that  were  then  extant  in  the  world ; 
for  which  he  fuffered  feveral  imprifonments, 
bearing  the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day;  being 
one  of  the  firft  that  received  and  bore  witnefs 
to  the   truth   in   thofe  parts.      He  was  very 
ferviceable  in  his  public  te/limony,  not  only 
in  convincing,  but  alfo  to  the  edification  of 
many  ;  yea,  he  was  a  great  ftay  and  fupport  to 
friends  in  the  parts  near  where  he  lived :  For 
he  was  an  inftrument  of  great  fervice  in  the 
Lord's  hand,    being    much   efteemed  for  his 
work's  fake,  not  only  at  home,  but  in  other 
places  where  he  travelled  in  truth's  fervice. 

In  the  year  1682,  being  in  the  fiftieth  year 
of  his  age,    he  removed  himfelf  and  family 

into 


\ 


(    »5    ) 

into  America,  and  fettled  according  to  his 
intention  in  Pennfylvania,  where  he  continued 
very  ferviceable  amongft  us  in  his  miniftry, 
and  fometimes  vifited  places  adjacent :  He  was 
alfo  ufeful  in  fome  other  fervices  in  our  firft 
fettlement  here.  In  fliort,  as  he  was  a  fenfible, 
fo  he  was  a  ferviceable  member  of  the  body, 
having  a  fenfe  of  and  fhare  in  whatever  tended 
to  the  ftrength  and  benefit  thereof;  as  on  the 
other  hand,  if  any  thing  happened  that  caufed 
grief  or  trouble,  he  bore  his  part  of  it. 

He  was  a  man  of  found  judgment  and  good 
underftanding,  not  being  drawn  afide  by  any 
falfe  fpirit  that  hath   rifen   in  our  day,    nor 
joined  with  any  that  broke  forth  into  fepara- 
tion,  or  fought  to  divide  or  make  fchifms  ia 
the  body,  either  in  England  or  America.     He 
dearly  loved  the  fociety  of  his  brethren,  and 
much   prized   unity,    as   one  who  knew  the 
comfort  and  benefit  thereof.     He  had  a  high 
efteem  for  all  who  were  of  a  right  fpirit,  and 
of  fervice  in  the  church,  although  his  younger 
brethren.     His  miniftry  was  with  a  good  un- 
derftanding, not  only  of  what  he  fpoke  from, 
but  alfo  what  he  fpoke  unto;  and  the  things 
which  he  teftified  were  "what  he  had  learned  of 
the  Lord,  and  had  himfelf  Jeen,  heard  and  tajied 
of  in  the  good  word  of  life,  ?iot  boajiing  in  other 
mens  lines.     In  the  latter  part  of  his  days  he 
grew  weak  in  body  by  fome  infirmities  which 
increafed  upon  him,  neverthelefs  he  was  often 
raifed  in  meetings  by  the  power  of  the  Lord, 
and  thereby  carried  on  in  his  teftimony  to  our 
refreftiment  and  comfort. 

What 


I 


{    i6    ) 

What  I  have  here  v/ritten  concerning  this 
my  dear  friend  and  brother,  is  from  my  own 
certain  knowledge,  we  having  been  intimate 
friends,  from  our  youth  up ;  and  fince  we  came 
into  America,  we  have  had  the  advantage  of 
frequent  opportunities  together,  it  being  our 
lot  to  live  near  to  each  other,  which  now  makes 
my  lofs  in  the  want  of  him  to  be  the  greater, 
although  I  am  fatisfied  his  removal  is  his  gain. 

From  my  houfe  in  Makefield,  in  the  county 
of  Bucks,  26th  of  the  fixth  month,  1693. 

THOMAS  JANNET. 


i 


James  Dickinfon's  Tejlimony  concerning  John 
Del  AVAL,  who  died  in  Philadelphia,  about 
the  year  ibcj^^  fuppofed  to  have  been  written 
when  on  one  of  his  vijits  to  America. 

MY  heart  is  opened  by  the  power  of  truth, 
to  give  forth  a  teflimony  to  the  Lord's 
power,  that  hath  wrought  efFeftually  in  this 
latter  age  of  the  world,  for  the  bringing  many 
fons  unto  glory  ^  of  the  number  of  whom  I  do 
believe  was  this  my  dear  friend  John  Delaval, 
whofe  memory  lives  among  the  faithful  that 
knew  him,  and  needs  not  thefe  charafters,  to 
fct  forth  that  comelinefs  which  the  Lord  put 
upon  him,  but  his  name  is  recorded  in  Hea- 
ven, and  (hall  never  be  obliterated.  Although 
he  was  one  called  in  at  the  eleventh  hour,  yet 
he  was  faithful  and  zealous  for  the  truth,  a 
man  of  a  tender  broken  fpirit,  and  loved  the 
power  of  truth  and  the  operation  of  it,  which 

helped 


(    »7    ) 

helped  him  through  and  over  what  was  con- 
trary to  it.  My  foul  loved  him,  and  was  drawn 
near  him  the  firft  time  I  faw  him,  becaufe  of 
the  lincerity  that  I  beheld  in  him  ;  and  as  our 
familiarity  increafed,  fo  I  found  the  bent  of  his 
mind  was  to  ferve  the  Lord  in  uprightnefs  of 
heart.     The  Lord  gave  him  a  gift  in  the  mini- 
ftry,  and  bleffed  him  in  it,  and  enabled  him  to 
get  his  day's  work  done  in  his  day :  whofe  ex- 
ample, I  pray  God,  we  that  remain  may  fol- 
low ;    who    was   valiant  for   the   truth   upon 
earth,  and  turned  not  his  back  to  the  oppofers 
of  it,  nor  would  fpare  the  backfliders  from  it, 
but  ftood  faithful  to  the  end.     His  bow  abode 
in   ftrength,  and  though  many  archers  fhot  at 
him,  yet  he  kept  the  (hield  of  faith,  by  which 
the  fiery  darts  of  the  wicked  one  were  quenched, 
and  his  foul  preferved  in  communion  with  the 
Lord,  and  in  the  faith  of  Chrift  he  finifhedhis 
teftimony,  with  a  heart  full  of  love  to  God  and 
his  people  :  The  Lord  took  him  away  from 
evil  to  come.     And  my  defire  is,  that  we  who 
remain,  may  keep  to  the  fame  power  by  which 
he  was  vifited ;  and  love  the  operation  of  it, 
that  thereby  all  may  be  prepared  for  their  lat- 
ter end,  which  haftens  upon  us  ;  fo  obtain  the 
crown  that  is  laid  up  in  ftore,  for  all  them  that 
fight  the  good  fight,  and  keep  the  faith,  and 
keep  their  eyes  fingle  to  Jefus  Chrift  the  author 
of  it,  and  keep  the  word  of  patience.    Thefe 
v^ill  be  kept  in  the  hour  of  temptation,  and 
know  an    overcoming :    and    unto    him   that 
overcometh,  faith  Chrift,  will  I  grant  to  fit 
with  me  in  my  throne,  even  as  I  alfo  overcame, 
and  am  fat  down  with  my  Father  in  his  throne. 

C  Thefe 


s^ 


f 


i 


i 


I 

I 


I 


(    i8    ) 

Thefe  fliall  not  be  hurt  of  the  fecond  death, 
but  know  a  part  in  Chrift,  the  lirfl  refurrec- 
tion,  and  know  that  they  are  the  fons  of  God, 
as  was  anciently  faid,  **  Now  are  we  the  fons 
of  God,  and  it  doth  not  yet  appear  what  we 
fhall  be."  But,  "  When  Chrift,  who  is  our 
life  fhall  appear,  then  (hall  we  alfo  appear  with 
him  in  glory."  Let  all  keep  to  Chrift,  and 
know  him  to  be  their  life,  fo  fliall  they  be 
made  partakers  of  the  better  refurreftion,  even 
that  unto  life ;  when  the  fentence  will  be 
palTed  upon  all,  either.  Come  ye  bleffed,  or. 
Go  ye  curfed,  by  the  juft  Judge  of  the  whole 
earth,  who  will  do  rightly  to  every  man,  and 
give  to  every  one  according  as  their  works 
Ihall  be  :  To  whom  all  muft  give  an  account, 
and  happy  will  they  be  who  keep  to  God*s 
power,  they  will  be  kept  by  it  to  his  glory, 
and  their  eternal  falvation. 

JAMES  DICKINSON. 


Elizabeth    Walker's    TeJiimo?iy  concerning   her 
hujhand  William  Walker. 

THE  love  of  God  to  him  was  great,  in 
calling  him  out  of  the  broad  way,  to  la- 
bour in  his  vineyard ;  and  though  it  was  late 
in  the  day,  I  believe  he  received  his  penny. 
Great  was  the  care  and  awe  that  was  on  his 
mind,  left  he  ftiould  do  any  thing  to  hinder  his 
religious  growth  and  fervice ;  for  having  no 
trade,  and  we  poiTeffing  little  but  what  my  dear 
huiband  earned  by  hard  labour,  he  was  advifed 

to 


1 


( 19 ) 

to  learn  a  trade,  to  which  he  anfwered,  "  I  dare 
not  let  out  my  mind  to  learn  one,  but  can  freely 
follow  my  prefent  calling,  if  the  Lord  will 
enable  me;  becaufe  it  is  no  incumbrance  to 
my  mind,  and  through  God's  goodnefs  we  do 
not  want."  However,  in  an  unexpected  time, 
way  was  made  for  our  getting  into  a  fmall  bufi- 
nefs,  which  fuited  our  capacities,  and  the  Lord 
gave  a  blefling  unto  our  endeavours.  He  often 
vifited  the  fick,  and  his  foul  fympathized  with 
the  afflicted,  being  alfo  willing  to  adminifter  to 
the  neceffities  of  the  poor  as  objefts  of  charity 
prefented.  He  was  a  tender  huiband  unto  me, 
and  one  whom  my  foul  had  true  unity  with  in 
the  life  of  Jefus ;  his  delight  and  meditations 
being  in  the  law  of  the  Lord.  Many  were  the 
feafons  of  divine  love  we  enjoyed  the  little  time 
we  were  together,  which  often  tendered  our 
hearts  before  the  Lord,  in  our  private  retire- 
ments, fo  that  praifes  have  been  returned  to 
his  pure  name,  in  a  fenfe  of  the  aboundings  of 
his  love  and  life.  And  although  his  body  is 
removed  from  me,  I  am  well  fatisfied  he  hath 
obtained  the  recompence  of  reward  with  the 
redeemed  of  the  Lord. 

ELIZABETH  WALKER. 

The  aforefaid  William  Walker  was  born  in 
Yorkftiire,  but  removed  to  Pennfylvania,  where 
he  was  convinced.  In  the  latter  end  of  the  year 
1693,  he  went  to  England,  on  a  religious  vi- 
fit,  and  died  at  London  the  lath  of  the  fourth 
month,  1694.  A  further  account  of  him,  and 
fome  of  his  laft  expreffions,  are  inferted  in  the 
2d  part  of  the  book  called  Piety  Promoted. 

C  2  A  Tcjlimony 


i 


(      2=      ) 

ATeJlimony  from  the  Monthly^Meeting  o/Hz'^ 
verford  in  Pcnnfylvania,  concerning  Thomas 
Lloyd. 

TH  E  love  of  God,  and  the  regard  we  have 
to  the  bleffed  truth,  conftrains  us  to  give 
forth  this  teftimony  concerning  our  dear  friend 
Thomas  Lloyd,  many  of  us  having  had  long 
acquaintance  with  him,  both  in  Wales,  where 
he  formerly  lived,  and  alfo  in  Pennfylvania, 
where  he  finifhed  his  courfe,  and  laid  down  his 
head  in  peace  with  the  Lord,  and  is  at  reft  and 
joy  with  him  for  evermore. 

He  was  by  birth  of  them  who  are  called  the 
gentry,  his  father  being  a  man  of  a  confider- 
able  eftate  and  of  great  efteem  in  his  time,  of 
an  ancient  houfc  and  eftate  called  Dolobran, 
in  Montgomery fhire  in  Wales.  He  was  brought 
up  at  the  moft  noted  fchools,  and  from  thence 
went  to  one  of  the  univerfities ;  and  becaufe  of 
his  fuperior  natural  and  acquired  parts,  ma- 
ny of  account  in  the  world  had  an  eye  of  re- 
gard towards  him.  Being  offered  degrees  and 
places  of  preferments,  he  refufed  them  all;  the 
Lord  beginning  his  work  in  him,  and  caufing 
a  meafure  of  his  light  to  fhine  out  of  darknefs, 
in  his  heart,  which  gave  him  a  fight  of  the 
vain  forms,  cuftoms,  and  traditions  of  the 
fchools  and  colleges.  And  hearing  of  a  poor 
defpifed  people  called  Quakers,  he  went  to 
hear  them,  and  the  Lord's  power  reached  unto 
him  and  came  over  him,  to  the  humbling  and 
bowing  his  heart  and  fpirit  i  fo  that  he  was 
convinced  of  God's  cverlafting  truth,  and  re- 
ceived 


.^ 


ii 


(      21       ) 

ceived  it  in  the  love  of  it,  and  was  made  will- 
ing, like  meek  Mofes,  to  choofe  rather  to  fuf- 
fer  afflidion  with  the  people  of  the  Lord,  than 
the  honours,  preferments,  and  riches  of  this 
world.  The  earthly  wifdom  came  to  be  of  no 
reputation  with  him,  but  he  became  a  fool, 
both  to  it  and  his  former  aflbciatee ;  and  through 
felf-denial,  and  taking  up  the  daily  crofs  of 
Chrift  Jefus,  which  crucified  his  natural  will, 
affeftions,  and  pleafures,  he  came  to  be  a  fcho- 
lar  in  Chrift's  fchool,  and  to  learn  the  true  wif- 
dom which  is  from  above.  Thus,  by  depart- 
ing from  the  vanities  and  iniquities  of  the 
world,  and  following  the  leadings,  guidance, 
and  inftrudtions  of  the  divine  light,  grace, 
and  fpirit  of  Chrift,  he  came  more  and  more 
to  have  an  underftanding  in  the  myfteries  of 
God's  kingdom,  and  was  made  an  ^le  minifter 
of  the  everlafting  gofpel  of  peace  and  falvation ; 
his  acquired  parts  being  fandlified  to  the  fer- 
vice  of  truth. 

His  found  and  effeftual  miniftry,  his  godly 
converfation,  meek  and  lamb-like  fpirit,  great 
patience,  temperance,  humility,  and  flownefs 
to  wrath;  his  love  to  the  brethren,  his  godly 
care  in  the  church  of  Chrift,  that  all  things 
might  be  kept  fweet,  favoury,  and  in  good  or- 
der ;  his  helping  hand  to  the  weak,  and  gentle 
admonitions,  we  are  fully  fatisfied  have  a  feal 
and  witnefs  in  the  hearts  of  all  faithful  friends, 
who  knew  him,  both  in  the  land  of  his  nati- 
vity, and  in  thefe  American  parts.  We  may 
in  truth  fay,  he  fought  not  himfelf,  nor  the 
riches  of  this  world,  but  his  eye  was  to  that 
which  is  everlafting,  being  given  up  to  fpend 

C  3  and 


^ 


I 


!I        I 


(      22      ) 

and  be  fpent  for  the  truth  and  the   fake   of 
friends. 

He  never  turned  his  back  on  the  truth,  nor 
was  weary  in  his   travels  Sion-wards,  but  re- 
mained a  found  pillar  in  the  fpiritual  building. 
He  had  many  difputes   with  the  clergy,  and 
fome  called  peers  in  England,  and  alfo  fufFered 
imprifonments,  and  much  lofs  of  outward  fub- 
ilance,  to  the  honour  of  truth,  and  flopping 
in  meafure  the  mouths  of  gainfayers  and  per- 
fecutors.     Yet  thefe  exercifes  and  trials  in  the 
land  of  his  nativity,  which  he  fuftained  through 
the  ability  God  gave  him,  were  fmall,  and  not 
to  be  compared  to  the  many  and  great  exer- 
cifes, griefs,  and  forrows  he  met  withal,  and 
went  through  in  Pennfylvania,  from  that  mi- 
ferable  apoftate  George  Keith  and  his  deluded 
company.    Oh!  the  revilings,  the  great  provo- 
cations, the  bitter  and  wicked  language,  and 
rude  behaviour  which  the  Lord  gave  him  pa- 
tience to  bear  and  overcome.     He  reviled  not 
again,  nor  took  any  advantage,  but  loved  his 
enemies,  and  prayed  for  them  that  defpitefully 
abufed  him.     His  love  to  the  Lord,  his  truth 
and  people,  was  fincere  to  the  laft.     He  was 
taken  with  a  malignant  fever,  the  5^/6  of  the 
feventh  month,   1694,  ^"^  though  his  bodily 
pain  was  great,  he  bore  it  with  much  patience. 
Not  long  before  his   departure,  fome  friends 
being  with  him,    he  faid,    **  Friends,   I  love 
you  all,  I  am   going  from  you,  and  I  die 
in  unity  and  love  with  all  faithful  friends. 
I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  and  kept   the 
ftiith,   which  ftands  not  in   the  wifdom  of 
words,  but  in  the  power  of  God:   I  have 

•*  foil i? lit. 


(( 


€( 


€€ 


4< 


€t 


1 


i< 


n 


a 


€€ 


ti 


(      23      ) 

fought,  not  for  ftrife  and  contention,  but 
for  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  and 
the   fimplicity  of  the  gofpel.     I  lay  down 
my  head  in  peace,  and  defire  you  all  may  do 
fo.    Friends,  farewell  all."    He  further  faid 
to  Griffith  Owen,  a  friend  then  intending  for 
England,   "  I  defire  thee  to  mind  my  love  to 
friends  in  England,  if  thou  lives  to  go  over 
to   fee  them  ;  I  have  lived  in   unity  with 
them,  and  do  end  my  days  in  unity  with 
them  ;  and  defire  the  Lord  to  keep   them 
all  faithful  unto  the  end,  in  the  fimplicity 
of  the  gofpel."     On   the   lOth  day  of  the 
feventh  month  aforefaid,  being  the  6th  day  of 
his  ficknefs,  it  pleafed  the  Lord  to  remove  him 
from   the  many  trials,    temptations,  forrows, 
and  troubles  of  this  world,  to   the   kingdom 
of  everlafting  joy  and  peace ;  but  the  remem- 
brance of  his   innocent   life  and  meek   fpirit 
lives  with  us,  and  his   memorial  is,  and  will 
remain   to   be,    fweet  and  comfortable  to  the 
faithful. 

He  was  buried  in  friends  burial-ground  in 
Philadelphia,  aged  about  forty-five  years,  hav- 
ing been  feveral  years  prefident  and  deputy 
governor  of  Pennfylvania* 


<< 


n 


€< 


€€ 


(i 


€( 


The  following  epiftle,  which  appears  to 
have  been  written  foon  after  his  arrival  in 
Pennfylvania,  is  thought  not  improper  to  be 
here  fubjoined, 

C  4 

Philadelphia, 


\ 


I 


i  'I 


(    H    ) 

Philadelphia,  2d  of  fixth  Month,  1684, 

My  dear  and  well  beloved  Friends,  of  and  belongs 
ing  to  Dolobran  Siuarterly-Meeting. 

TH  E  warm  and  tender  falutation  of  my 
love  is  unfeigned  to  you,  with  whom  I 
have  converfed  and  walked  fome  years,  in  unity, 
zeal,  concord,  and  endeavoured  ferviceablenefs. 
You  are,  becaufe  of  our  nearnefs,  familiar,  yet 
honourable  in  my  thoughts  and  efteem*  The 
truth,  as  it  is  in  Jefus,  profper  and  increafe 
daily  in  your  minds,  and  reft  bountifully  on 
your  habitations.  My  heart  is  affedted  with 
the  remembrance  of  you,  and  efpecially  of  the 
virtue  and  operation  of  that  living  principle 
which  traverfeth  the  deeps,  and  though  it 
bounds  the  feas,  yet  cannot  be  bound  thereby, 
but  continues  its  being  and  intirenefs  through 
and  over  all  diftances,  and  makes  us  of  many, 
one  people  to  himfelf.  The  God  of  Ifrael  and 
the  excellency  of  Jacob  is  with  us,  and  the 
prefent  days  are  as  the  former,  days  of  glad 
tidings,  days  of  humility,  days  of  holy  fear, 
obedience,  and  refrefhment,  increafe  and  growth 
to  the  faithful.  We  and  you  are  under  refpedt- 
ive  exercifes ;  the  way  of  your  trial  may  be  in 
a  more  fevere  manner  at  prefent.  The  Lord 
in  his  wonted  tendernefs  bear  you  up,  and 
grant  you  a  rejoicing  in  fimplicity  and  godly 
fincerity  before  him.  That  is  no  new  thing 
to  you,  to  fuffer  joyfully  in  your  perfons  and 
goods ;  the  Lord  gave  us  ftrength,  courage, 
fatisfadion,  and  honours  thereby.  Whilft  he 
is  in  our  t^t%,  and  his  holy  fear  in  our  hearts, 

whether 


I 


I 


^ 


^ 


'i 


(    25    ) 

whether  in  bonds  or  free,  in  that  or  this  part  of 
the  world,  our  prefervation  we  (hall  witnefs.  Our 
meetings  are  very  full :  I  guefs  we  had  no  lefs 
number  than  eight  hundred  laft  firft  day;  we  are 
o]ad  to  fee  the  faces  of  ferviceable  friends  here, 
who  come  in  God's  freedom,  who  are  perfons 
of  a  good  underftanding  and  converfation,  and 
will  difcharge  their  ftations  religioufly ;  fuch 
will  be  a  blefling  to  the  province.     The  fa- 
vourable revolution  of  Providence  hath  founded 
the  government  fo  here,  that  a  man  is  at  liberty 
to  ferve  his  Maker  without  contempt,  difcou- 
ragement,  or  reftraint.     Truth  indeed  makes 
men  honourable,  not  only  here,  but  in  moft 
places  at  laft ;  but  here  truth  receives  a  good 
entertainment  at  firft.     Our  governor  is  em- 
barking for  England;  our  well  wifhes  go  with 
and  attend  him.     He  hopes  to  have  an  oppor- 
tunity by  teftimony  or  writing,  to  exprefs  his 
love  and  remembrance  to  the  feveral  churches 
of  Britain.     Our  friends  from  the  neighbour- 
hood are  generally  well,  and  tolerably  fettled. 
In  love  I  lived  with  you,   in  love  I  took  my 
leave  of  you,  and  in  love  I  bid  you  a  chriftian 
jmd  brotherly  farewel. 

Tour  friend  ajid  brother, 
rnOMAS  LLOTD. 


A  rejii^ 


» 


**  i 


! 


(         26         ) 

ji  Tejimony  from  the  Falls  Monthly-Meeting 
in  Bucks  county,  Pennfylvania,  concerning 
Thomas  Jannev. 

HE  fettled  with  us  at  his  firft  coming  in- 
to theie  parts,  labouring  amongft  us  in 
word  and  dodrine  divers  years.  We  loved  and 
highly  efteemed  him  for  his  work's  fake,  being 
an  able  minifter  of  the  gofpel,  found  in  doc- 
trine, endowed  with  wifdom  and  a  ready  ut- 
terance; and  favoured  with  openings  into  the 
myfteries  of  the  things  of  God's  kingdom.  He 
was  not  forward  to  ofter  his  gift,  having  a  true 
regard  to  the  giver,  who  faid  formerly,  **  Call 
the  net  on  the  right  fide  of  the  (hip :"  there- 
fore his  ''  Bow  abode  in  ftrength.*'  And 
though  the  Lord  had  furnilhed  him  with  fuch 
excellent  qualitications,  he  had  fo  learned  felf- 
denial,  as  not  to  glory  therein ;  but  was  ready 
to  prefer  his  friends  before  himfelf,  and  give 
them  the  right  hand  of  fellowfliip ;  being 
careful  to  keep  the  teftimony  of  truth  clear 
on  all  accounts,  faying,  **  Thofe  that  appear 
in  public  are  doubly  bound  fo  to  do.''  He 
was  of  a  cheerful  and  peaceable  temper,  and 
innocent  and  blamelefs  in  life.  As  the  Lord 
had  bellowed  on  him  a  gift  of  the  miniftry 
beyond  many  of  his  fellows,  fo  he  was  care- 
ful to  improve  it  to  his  honour,  and  the  com- 
fort of  his  people,  labouring  therein,  not  on- 
ly here  in  Pennfylvania  and  New-Jerfey,  but 
he  alfo  fcveral  times  vifited  the  churches  in 
New- England,  Rhode- Illand,  Long-Ifland, 
and  Maryland;    and  lallly,  he  went  on  that 

fervice 


1 


! 


1 


{  ^7  ) 
fcrvice  to  Old  England,  where  he  finiflied  his 
courfe.  And  though  our  lofs  of  him  is  great, 
we  are  fatisfied  he  hath  his  portion,  among 
thofe  that  turn  many  to  right eoujhefs,  andjlnne  as 
thejlarsfor  ever  and  ever. 


There  are  other  accounts  concerning  Tho- 
mas  Janney,    from   which  it  appears   that  he 
was  born  in  Chefliire,  and  received  the  truth 
about  the  year  1654,  and  the  twenty-firft  year 
of  his  age.     In  1683  he  came  with  his  family 
into   Pennfylvania;  and  in   1695,  he  went  in 
company  with  Griffith  Owen  to  vifit  his  bre- 
thren in  England;  where,  in  the  courfe  of  his 
travels,  he  was  taken  ill  at  Hitchin  :  and  two 
of  his   relations  from  Chefhire  going  thither 
to   vifit  him,  he  faid  to  one  of  them,  **  It  is 
fome  exercife  to  think  of  being  taken  away 
fo  far  from  my  home  and  family,  and  alfo 
from  my  relations  in   Cheiliire.     My  care 
hath  been  for  my  fons,  that  they  may  be 
kept   in  the  fear  of  God.     I   have  been  a 
good  example  to  them.     I  have  a  care  upon 
me,  that  they  may  kept  humble  while  they 
are  young,   that  they  may  bend  their  necks 
under  the   yoke  of   Chrift.      If  I  am  taken 
away,    I  am  very  clear  in  my  fpirit,  I  have 
anfwered  the   requirings   of  God.      I   have 
have  been  faithful  in  my  day,  and  I  have 
nothing  that  troubles   my  fpirit  ;   my  fpirit 
is  very  clear."     He  alfo  exprelTed  his  con- 
cern for'his  brethren  of  the  miniilry,   efpeci- 
ally   the  young,   that  they  might  obferve  the 
leadings  of  God's  fpirit  in  their  miniftry,  and 

not 


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(   28   ) 

not  lean  upon  their  own  natural  parts.  After 
this,  he  recovered  fo  as  to  be  able  to  get  down 
into  Chefhire:  but  after  fomc  time  his  dif- 
order  returning,  he  faid  to  his  fifter,  "  If  it  be 
**  the  will  of  God  that  I  be  taken  away  now, 
**  I  am  well  content."  He  departed  in  much 
quietnefs  of  mind,  the  >2/^  of  the  twelfth 
month  1696,  and  was  buried  the  15//6  of  the 
fame  month,  in  friends  burying  place  in 
Chefhire,  aged  fixty-three  years.  A  public 
minifter  41  years. 


Hugh  Roberts's  T'ejlimony  concerning  his  bro- 
ther Robert  Owen. 


H 


E  was  one  that  feared  the  Lord  from 
his  youth,  being  convinced  of  the  truth 
when  about  feventeen  years  of  age;  he  loved 
the  company  of  fuch  of  his  acquaintance  as 
were  moil  fubftantial  in  religion,  and  was  alfo 
beloved  by  them  and  all  fort  of  people  that 
knew  him,  being  greatly  helpful  to  his  bre- 
thren, and  made  a  caufe  of  gladnefs  to  thofe 
that  were  his  fathers  in  truth.  The  Lord  not 
only  opened  his  heart  like  Lydia's  former- 
ly, but  he  likewife  opened  his  mouth  to  pub- 
lifh  his  name  and  truth  amongft  many,  travel- 
ling feveral  times  through  his  native  country 
Wales,  where  he  was  of  good  fervice.  In 
1690,  he  came  into  Pennfylvania,  where  he 
lived  about  {^vtw  years,  vifiting  this  and  the 
adjacent  provinces,  and  was  alfo  very  ufeful 
in  the  meeting  where  he  refided,  both  in  doc- 
trine 


(     29     ) 

trine  and  difcipline ;  he  was   indeed  a  ftrong 
pillar  in   the  church.     I  never  faw  him  take 
part  with  a  wrong  thing.     Oh  the  want  of 
him  which  I  feel  I  his  place  is  yet  empty  : 
I  pray  God,  if  it  be  his  will,  to  fill  it  up.     Oh 
my  brother,   my  dear  companion  !    how  can 
they  that  knew  thy  faithfulnefs  to  truth,  do 
lefs  than  leave  a  memorial  to  fucceeding  gene- 
rations ?  for   thy  name  is  worthy  to  be  re- 
corded  in  IfraeL     He  was  a  man  of  peace,  and 
hated  all  appearance  of  contention,  and  indeed 
he  was  a  fkilful  peace-maker,   being  endued 
with  wifdom  and  authority,  yet  full  of  mercy 
and  compaffion  unto  every  appearance  of  good. 
His  removal   is  a  great  lofs  unto  us  who  are 
left.     Well,  my  dear  brother,  in  the  remem- 
brance of  thee,  and  the  many  good  and  pre- 
cious opportunities  we  have  had  together,  my 
foul  is  bowed  and  ready  to  fay,  I  iliall  never 
have   the  like  companion,   fo  fitted  and  knit 
together  in  every  refpedl;  the  more  I  confider 
my  lofs  of  thee,  the  greater  it  appears  :   there- 
fore conclude  this  my  teftimony,  and  return  to 
my  own  work  and  fervice,  that  I  may  be  pre- 
pared to  follow  after  thee. 

HUGH  ROBERTS. 

He  died  the  8//6  of  the  fifth  month,  1697, 
and  was  interred  the  i  ofh  of  the  fame,  in  friends 
burying  ground  at  Merion  in  Pennfylvania. 


Rowland 


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(    30    ) 

Rowland  Ellis's  Tejlmony  concerning  Robert 
Owen  before  mentioned ^  and ]aj^e  his  wife. 

WHEN  I  think  of  former  times  and  days 
that  are  over  and  gone,  wherein  the 
Lord  vilited  a  remnant  by  the  gathering  hand 
of  his  power,  in  the  land  of  our  nativity,  to 
wait  for  the  renewing  of  his  love  from  one 
meeting  to  another,  to  our  great  refrefhment 
and  daily  encouragement,  to  run  our  race 
through  many  trials  within  and  without.  The 
Lord  whom  we  waited  for,  hath  been  the 
ftrength  of  his  people  in  this  our  age  and  ge- 
neration, as  in  all  by  paft  ages.  So  the  re- 
membrance of  thofe  days  and  times,  and  that 
near  fellowfhip  which  was  between  the  little 
remnant  in  that  part  of  the  country,  is  at  pre- 
fent  brought  to  my  view;  though  moft  of  the 
ancients  that  bore  the  heat  of  the  day  are  now 
removed,  yet  methinks  their  names  and  worthy 
ads  (hould  be  had  in  remembrance,  that  ge- 
rations  to  come  might  fee  and  underftand,  by 
what  inftruments  the  Lord  was  pleafed  to  carry 
on  his  work,  by  making  a  clear  difcovery  of  the 
good  way  once  loft  in  the  night  of  apoftacy ; 
amongft  whom  were  my  dear  friends  Robert 
Owen  and  Jane  his  wife.  And  although  we 
are  not  to  fet  up  or  praife  that  in  man  or  wo- 
man which  periflieth,  but  becaufe  they  made 
choice  of  the  better  and  moft  durable  fub- 
ftance,  therefore  their  names  fhall  be  be  had 
in  remembrance. 

He  was  defcended  of  a  very  ancient,  and  (ac- 
cording to  the  world's  account),  one  of  the 

greateft 


greateft 


I 


\ 


\ 


(     3»     ) 

families  in  thofe  parts,  having  by  his 
father  a  competent  inheritance,  and  in  all  his 
time  had  the  right  hand  among  his  equals; 
brought  up  a  fcholar,  quick  in  apprehenfion, 
and  whatever  he  took  in  hand  he  did  it  with 
all  his  might.  He  was  zealoufly  devoted  to 
religion,  and  a  great  fearcher  for  the  pearl  of 
great  price;  being  one  of  the  firft  in  our  parts 
who  fought  after  itj  and  having  found  it,  he 
fold  all  to  purchafe  the  fame. 

After  King  Charles  IL  came  to  the  crown, 
he  fufFered  five  years  clofe  imprifonment,  for 
not  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance  and  fupre- 
macy,  being  confined  at  the  town  of  Dolgelly, 
in  Merionethfhire,  North-Wales,  within  about 
a  mile  from  his  dwelling-houfe,  to  which  he 
was  not  permitted  to  go  during  the  faid  time. 
And  it  was  obferved,  that  the  perfon  who  had 
the  greateft  hand  in  perfecuting  him,  was  vi- 
fited  with  ficknefs,  when  remorfe  of  confcience 
feized  fo  hard  upon  him,  that  he  could  find 
neither  reft  nor  eafe,  until  he  fent  a  fpecial 
meflenger  to  releafe  him. 

And  concerning  his  wife  Jane  Owen.  She 
was  daughter  of  a  juftice  of  peace,  a  man  of 
great  integrity,  and  exceeding  moft  of  his  rank 
at  that  time.  She  was  a  woman  rarely  en- 
dowed with  many  natural  gifts,  being  an  help- 
meet to  her  huft)and  in  his  exercifes,  folid  in 
her  deportment,  and  not  given  to  many  words. 
In  all  their  exercifes  together  for  the  truth's 
fake,  they  did  not  flirink  nor  give  way  for  fear 
or  flattery;  not  only  their  hearts,  but  their 
houfe  was  open  to  all  upon  truth's  account ; 
meetings  being  held  therein  for  many  years. 

They 


(    32    ) 

They  were  fervlceable  in  their  places,  and 
much  beloved  in  their  native  land,  where  hav- 
ing borne  their  fhare  of  the  heat  of  the  day, 
they  embarked  therefrom  in  the  fifth  month 
1690,  and  came  into  Pennfylvania,  where  they 
finifhed  their  courfe,  and  were  buried  within 
a  few  days  of  each  other. 


John   Sevan's    Tejiimony   concerning    Hugh 

Roberts. 

TRUTH  in  the  inward  parts  God  loves, 
and  thofe  that  love  it  and  give  way  to 
the  operation  thereof,  are  made  precious  and 
lovely  in  the  fight  of  God,  and  he  makes  them 
inftrumental  in  his  hand  for  the  good  of  others  • 
among  whom  was  my  dear  friend  and  brother 
Hugh  Roberts  deceafed,  who  was  qualified  by 
God's  power,  to   be  a  ferviceable  inftrument 
to    the  churches    of  Chrift   in   our   parts  of 
America.     He  came  to  this  country  about  iS 
years  fince;  we  were  near  neighbours,  and  en- 
tirely loved  each  other,  not  having  had  a  crofs 
word,  nor  I  believe  an  hard  thought  one  of 
another,  at  any  time  fince  our  firft  acquaint- 
ance.^   Having  pafled  through  many  trials  and 
exercifes,  he  could  by  experience  fpeak  a  word 
in  feafon  for  the  encouragement  of  weary  tra- 
vellers ;   his   dodtrine  often  **  dropping  as  the 
dew,  and  diftilling  as  the  fmall  rain  upon  the 
tender  plants;''    for  in  the  openings  of  life, 
*'  things  new  and  old"  came  forth  of  the  trea- 
fury  of  wifdom,  which  gladdened  our  hearts, 

and 


(  33  ) 

and  comforted  our  fpirits  in  a  fenfe  of  God's 
love,  who   is   the  author  of  all  good   to  his 
people.     He  was  zealous  for  good  order   in 
the  church,  ferviceable  in  the  difcipline,  and 
fkilful  in  accommodating  differences.      And 
it  is  my  defire,    that   we,   efpecially  of  that 
meeting    he    belonged    to,    and  the   adjacent 
meetings,   which  moftly  received  the  benefit 
and  advantage  of  his  labour  of  love,  may  lay 
to  heart  and  confider  our  lofs  of  him,   and  in 
the  (tnk   thereof,   may  breathe  and  cry  unto 
the  Lord,  who  is  the  repairer  of  breaches,  to 
raife  up  inftruments  in  his  room,  for  carrying 
on  of  his  great  work  that  he  hath  begun  in 
the   earth,   to   his  own   praife,  who  is   alone 
worthy  of  the    fame  for  ever. — I  was  twice 
with  him  over  fea,  and  in  many  places  in  our 
native  land,  alfo  in  Maryland,  and  in  his  laft 
journey    to    vifit    friends    on    Long-Ifland, 
Rhode-Ifland,  and  New-England,    where  he 
had  good  fervice.     And  though  he  was  often 
very  weakly,  yet  his  heart  was   bent  to  ac- 
complifh  the  work  the  Lord  laid  upon  him, 
which  he  was  enabled  to  perform  to  his  great 
comfort  and  fatisfadtion. 

On  our  return  homeward,  being  fick  and 
in  much  pain,  at  the  houfe  of  our  friend  John 
Rodman,  on  Long-Ifland,  ht  hid  nothing  lies 
in  my  way  as  an  obftru5lion  to  hinder  my  peace 
and  well-being  with  God.  He  afterwards  came 
home,  and  a  few  days  before  his  departure,  a 
dear  friend  taking  leave  of  him,  faid,  **  I  be- 
lieve thy  deep  trials  and  exercifes  are  near  at 
an  end,  and  that  peace  and  joy  everlafting  will 
be   thy  portion    from  the  Lord."     Li  much 

D  broken- 


(     34    ) 

brokennefs  of  heart,  and  a  fenfe  of  the  fweet 
prefence  of  God  upon  his  fpirit,  he  anfwered, 
/  am  fatisfied  thereof,    and  can   blefs  my  God 
for  it. 

He  died  the  18//6  of  the  fixth  month  1702, 
and  on  the  zoth  was  interred  at  Merion,  after 
which  a  large  meeting  was  held,  wherein  the 
Lord's  prefence  was  fweetly  enjoyed,  and  fe- 
veral  living  teftimonies  borne  concerning  his 
faithfulnefs  to  God,  and  friends  fatisfadion  of 
his  eternal  well-being. 

JOHN  BEFAN. 


Margaret  Minfliell's  Tejlimony  co?icerning  ]onii 

SiMCOCK. 

TTE  was  a  nurfing  father  in  Ifrael,  tender 
*  ^  over  the  feed  of  God,  and  wherever  he  faw 
it,  in  the  leaft  appearance,  he  was  a  cheriflier 
of  it  without  refped  of  perfons;  but  he  ab- 
horred deceit  and  hypocnfy.  I  have  known 
him  near  forty  years,  and  may  fay  that  his 
miniftry  was  found,  edifying  and  helpful  to 
myfelf  and  many  others,  he  being  endued  with 
a  fpirit  of  difcerning,  and  wifdom  beyond 
many  in  fpiritual  things.  He  was  a  great 
fufferer  in  Old  England  for  truth's  fake,  both 
by  imprifonments  and  lofs  of  goods.  He  tra- 
velled pretty  much  in  truth's  fervice,  and  not- 
withftanding  all  his  fufferings,  he  was  no  way 
chargeable  to  any,  but  rather  helpful  to  thofe 
that  flood  in  need. 

MARGARET  MINSHELL. 

In 


A 
\ 


i! 


(    35     ) 

In  Jofeph  BelTe's  hiftory  of  friends  fuffer- 
ings, are  fome  accounts  of  thofe  fuflained  by 
the  aforefaid  John  Simcock,  and  of  his  pious, 
meek  difpofition  towards  his  opprefTors.  Once 
he  was  imprifoned  a  year  and  three  months, 
for  accompanying  his  wife  to  a  fteeple  houfe, 
for  a  fign  and  teflimony  againfl  their  falfe  way§ 
and  worfliips.  His  perfecutors,  at  different 
times,  diftrained  from  him  to  the  amount  of  fe- 
veral  hundred  pounds  fterling,  for  preaching; 
taking  nineteen  cattle  at  one  time,  and  twelve 
at  another,  befides  corn,  cheefe,  and  other 
goods;  all  which  he  bore  patiently.  Once 
when  they  were  driving  away  his  cows,  his  fer- 
vant  maid,  who  did  not  profefs  amongfl  friends, 
faid  to  him,  '*  Mafler,  how  can  you  fland  by 
and  fee  them  drive  away  fo  many  cattle?"  He 
replied,  it  did  not  trouble  hi??i  a?iy  more  than  if 
they  had  drove  away  fo  many  geefe. 

He  removed  to  Pennfylvania  in  early  times^ 
and  fettled  in  Chefler  county;  and  when  the 
fpirit  of  divilion  began  to  appear  in  George 
Keith,  he  was  active  in  vifiting  him,  to  endea- 
vour to  recover  him ;  and  when  the  labour  of 
friends  in  that  reiped:  proved  ineffectual,  he 
joined  fleadily  with  faithful  friends  in  teftify- 
ing  againfl  the  faid  George  Keith  and  his 
party. 

In  the  time  of  his  lafl  fickncfs,  he  appeared 
to  be  in  a  heavenly  frame  of  mind,  and  uttered 
many  lively  expreffions  :  at  one  time  he  faid, 
'*  I  have  had  manv  hard  befetments  with  the 
*'  enemy  of  my  foul  fmce  I  knew  the  truth, 
**  and   have  been   in  many  flraits,   and  great 

combats  and  buffetlngs  for  the  trial  of  my 

D  2  ''  faith; 


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(  S6  ) 

faith ;  but  the  keeper  of  Ifrael  is  near  to  all 
them   that  wait  upon  him,  and  truly  put 
*'  their  truft  in  him,  and  their  faith  is  made 
"  ftrong  in  him,    whereby  they  are   enabled 
to  make  war  againft  the  adverfary  of  fouls, 
and  to  fight  the  good  fight  of  faith,  for  whom 
is  laid  up  a  crown  of  eternal  and  endlefs  joy, 
peace,  and  heavenly  comfort  and  glory.  And 
now  I  may  fay  in  truth,   that  I  have  kept 
this  living  faith,  in  which  my  foul  hath  re- 
newed caufe   to  magnify  the  name  of  my 
holy  Redeemer,  and  powerful  Saviour,  Chrift 
Jefus,   in  whom  my  faith  hath  been  made 
ftrong  at  this  time,"     The  day  before  his 
departure,  his  wife  and  fon,  with  fome  other 
friends   being  prefent,   he  bore  a  living  tefti- 
mony  to  the  neceflity  of  dwelling  in  love,  even 
that  holy  love  which  labours  for  the  peace, 
welfare,  and  everlafting  good  of  all;  conclud^ 
ing  in  thefe  words,  **  And  now  I  defire  my 
*'  love  may  be  remembered  to  friends  in  gene- 
ral, and  it  is  the  defire  and  earneft  prayer  of 
my  foul,  that  the  heavenly  fpring  of  true 
love  and  ftream  of  divine  life,   may  ever  be 
known  to  fpring  and  run  amongft  thofe  who 
"  would  be  accounted  children  of  God,   and 
*'  followers   of  Chrift  Jefus  our  blefl'ed  Lord 
*'  and  eternal  Saviour,  who  laid  down  his  life 
*'  to  be  a  ranfom  for  fallen  man,  and  to  be  an 
**  atonement  for  all  them  that  would  come  to 
"  God  by  him,  who  is  the  living  word  and 
promifed  feed  of  the  covenant/' 
He  died  the  27/^  of  the  firft  month,  170-. 

A  Tejiimony 


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(  37  ) 

ji  Tejiimony  from  Derby  Monthly-Meetings  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  Eleanor  Smith, 
ijuife  of  John  Smith. 

SHE  was  born  at  Harborough,   in  Leicef- 
terfliire.  Old  England;  her  maiden  name 
was   Eleanor  Dolby.     She  received  the  truth 
about  the  age  of  thirteen  years,  and  lived  and 
died  therein,  being  a  religious  exemplary  woman, 
and  fome  years  before  her  death  was  concerned 
in  a  publick  teftimony.     A  little   before  her 
departure,  defiring  that  her  hufband  and  child- 
ren  fiiould  come  and  fit  down  by  her,  fliefpoke 
as  follows,  ''  I  entreat  you  my  children  to  walk 
foberly,  plainly,  and  keep  to  the  truth,  and 
the  Lord  will  provide  for  you  every  way  be- 
yond your  expedation.     I  am  clear  of  you, 
having  done  the  part  of  a  tender  mother  to 
you  :   I  leave  and  commit  you  to  the  Lord, 
who  is  able  to  keep  you  to  the  end  of  your 
days." — She  defired  them  not  to  mourn  if  it 
ftiould  pleafe  God  to  remove  her  from  amongft 
them,  faying,    ''  It   will   be  my  great  gain." 
Often   repeating  her  full  aflurance  of  future 
happinefs,  adding,    ''  I  can  praifethy  name,  O 
Lord,  in  the  midft  of  afHidtion,   for   furely 
thou  art  worthy  of  all  praife,  honour  and 
glory,  and  that  for  evermore;  for  thou  nei- 
ther leaveft  nor  forfakeft  thofe  that  put  their 
truft  in  thee."     Then  faid,    ''  Dear  child- 
ren  be  content,  for  I  ftiall  die  in  favour  with 
God,  and  true  love  and  unity  with  his  peo- 
ple."   She  defired  to  be  dilfolved,   faying, 
I  can  freely  give  up  huiband  and  children, 

D  3  ^^  and 


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WS  •»lin^-*¥'VNBSfflM!&**»J*WagK5 


(  38  ) 

*'  and  all  this  world,  to  be  with  the  Lord, 
^*  whofe  prefence  I  feel  flowing  as  a  river  into 
^'  my  foul." 

She  died  the  loth  day  of  the  feventh  month, 
1708,  aged  fifty-five  years. 

In  the  time  of  her  laft  illnefs,  {he  wrote  the 
following  epiftle  to  the  monthly-meeting  of 
women  friends  at  Derby,  viz. 

Dear  Sifters^ 
Herewith  I  fend  you  the  laft  falutation  of 
my  love,  with  whom  I  have  been  many  times 
refrefhed  and  truly  comforted.     I  fay  I  have 
travelled  with  you  through   various   exercifes 
and  difficulties,  when  the  Lord  has  been  fome- 
times  pleafed  to  give  us  (as  it  were)  the  bread 
of  adverfity  to  eat,  and  the  water  of  afflidion  to 
drink;  yet  blefled  be  his  name,  he  has  fweet- 
cned  our  cups  many  times  as  with  honey,  and 
fuftained  us  as  with  the  oil  of  the  crufe;  and 
by  his  fweet  prefence  caufed  our  cups  to  over- 
flow, to  the  praife  of  his  great  name.     Where- 
fore, dear  fifters,  I  entreat  you  to  dwell  in  the 
love  of  God,  which  love  is  the  bond  of  peace. 
Let  charity  be  found  to  dwell  amongft  you,  and 
then  I  do  believe,  you  will   be  neither  barren 
nor  unfruitful,  but  your   branches  laden   with 
good  and  weighty  fruit,  which  will  find  ac- 
ceptance with  God.     So  no  more,  but  my  ten- 
der love  to  you  in  the  blellcd  truth.     I  take  my 
leave  and  bid  you  farewell  in  the  Lord.     The 
laft  from  your  loving  fifter, 

ELEANOR   SMITH. 


Tbe 


(     39     ) 

7 he  following  Tejtimony  concerning  Henry 
White,  is  from  the  committee  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting  in  North  Carolina. 

HE  was  a  minifter  of  the  gofpel,  and  a 
faithful  friend,  whofe  Chriftian  conduft 
and  loving  behaviour  towards  the  Indians,  who 
were  numerous  in  thefe  parts  at  that  time,  was 
fuch  as,  we  have  been  credibly  informed,  not 
only  procured  him  great  efteem  and  refpedt 
from  them,  but  for  his  fake  they  fliewed  great 
love  and  tendernefs  towards  others  in  the  infant 
fettlement  of  thefe  parts.  ' 

He  dwelt  in  Pafquotank  county,  and  died  the 
3^  of  the  eighth  month,  1712,  aged  about 
feventy-feven  years. 


A  TeJJimony  from  Derby  Monthly  Meetings  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  John  Smith. 

HE  was  born  in  Leicefterftiire,  in  Old 
England,  in  1645,  and  was  convinced 
of  the  truth  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  and 
being  faithful  thereto,  after  fome  time  he  came 
forth  in  the  miniftry.  He  was  an  early  fettler 
in  Pennfylvania,  where  he  was  well  beloved. 
Being  taking  fick,  he  was  vifited  by  many 
friends ;  and  about  two  days  before  his  depar- 
ture, being  afked  how  he  did,  he  anfwered, 
**  I  am  very  poorly  and  weak  indeed,  but  much 
*'  eafier  than  I  have  been,  for  I  was  extreme 
•*  ill,  fo  fick  and  full  of  pain,  fuch  as  I  never 

D  4  '»  had 


»  w.  1  -■  ^  fv.^'s%  r'=f'--—  ■ 


i€ 


(t 


(    40    ) 

had  undergone  before ;  fo  that  I  could  not 
retire  in  my  mind  to  God,  my  extremity  was 
**  fo  great  j  but  now  the  Lord  has  been  pleafed 
"  to  give  me  cafe,  fo  that  I  can  ftay  my  mind 
"  on  him,  for  which  I  am  truly  thankful :  and 
**  now  I  feel  the  fredi  remembrance  or  renew- 
*•  ings  of  the  love  of  God,  flowing  into  my 
"  heart,  which  is  of  much  more  comfort  to  my 
"  foul  than  all  tranfitory  things  that  are  here 
"  below.     Now  I  feel  his  living  divine  pre- 
"  fence  is  with  me,  which  bears  up  my  fpirit 
"  over  that  which  flefli  and  blood  would  or 
"  could  not  be  able  to  bear."     Shortly  after,  a 
friend  takmg  leave  of  him,  afked  him  if  he 
thought  he  fhould  recover,  "  That  (faid  he)  I 
"  am  not  worthy  to  know,  however  I  am  con- 
tent; and  this  I  know,   that   if  we  abide 
faithful  to  God  to  the  end,  we  /hall  receive 
a  godly  portion,  fo  farewell,  and  the  Lord  go 
along  with  thee/"     At  another  time  he  faid. 
He  was  full  of  pain,  yet  he  could  fing  of  the 
mercy  and  goodnefs  of  God  to  his  foul,  in 
the  midft  of  afflidtion."    Afterwards  adding. 
Do  not  mourn  for  me,  but  be  ftill  and  quiet, 
and  let  me  pafs  away  quietly,  that  fo  my  foul 
may  enter  into  God's  everlafting  reft ;  for 
my  confcience  is  clear  from  guilt  in  the  face 
of  all  men  :"    faying,  "  Come  Lord  Jefus, 
receive  my  foul,  thy  fervant  is  ready,  come 
quickly."     This  he  fpoke  in  great  frefhnefs 
and  cheerfulnefs   of  fpirit,  faying,    "  Now  I 
•'  think  I  am  near  my  end;"  but  reviving  again, 
he  fat  up,  and  his  children  being  prefent,  he 
laid  to  them,  "  I  wns  never  covetous  to  get  a 
"  great  deal  of  this  world's  riches,  but  I  have 

"  endeavoured 


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(     41     ) 

'*  endeavoured  to  bring  you  up  in  the  fear  of 
*'  the  Lord,  and  educate  you  in  the  way  of  his 
**  truth,  to  the  beft  of  my  undcrftanding  ;  and 
"  if  you  do  but  wait  upon  the  Lord  in  the 
**  fincerity  of  your  hearts,  for  the  dropping 
**  down  of  the  love  of  God  upon  your  fouls  in 
**  the  meetings  and  gatherings  of  the  Lord's 
'*  people,  he  will  flied  his  bleffings  amongfl: 
**  you  j  for  he  hath  been,  and  is  a  father  to 
**  the  fatherlefs,  and  as  a  hufband  to  the 
**  widow."  This  he  fpoke  juft  before  his  de- 
parture, being  frefh  in  fpirit,  and  perfed:  in  knfQ 
and  memory  to  the  laft  hour. 

He  died  the  i  itA  day  of  the  twelfth  month, 
17 1 4,  aged  lixty-nine  years  and  four  months. 


*      ^  Te/iimony  from  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  friends 
in  Virginia,  concerning  Benjamin  Jordan, 

\  T  T  E  was  born  the  18//6  of  the  feventh 
X~X   nionth,  1674,  in  Nancemond  county,  in 

I  Virginia,  of  believing  parents,  who  were  care- 
ful to  educate  their  children  in  the  bleiTed 
truth  for  which  they  fuffered,  whofe  examples, 
together  with  the  influence  of  grace,  were 
fandlified  unto  this  our  friend,  as  well  as  feveral 
others  of  their  numerous  offspring.  He  was  a 
man  who  gave  up  much  of  his  time  in  waiting 
upon  God,  and  fervices  for  the  church,  being 
clerk  both  to  the  monthly  and  yearly  meeting; 
was  a  good  example  of  piety  and  charity,  and 
kept  his  integrity  to  the  laft. 

The 


(     42      ) 

The  day  before  he  died,  feveral  neighbours 
coming  to  fee  him,  one  of  them  being  in  a 
flounfhing  ftate  as  to  the  world,  to  whom  the 
way  of  truth  feemed  too  low  and  defpicable   he 
faid,   "  Rejoice,  O  young  man,  in  thy  you'th, 
^^  and  let  thy  heart  cheer  thee  in  the  days  of 
thy  youth,   and  walk  in   the  ways  of  thy 
"  heart,  and  in  the  fight  of  thine  eyes  •  but 
*'  know  thou,  that  for  all   thefe  things  God 
"  will  bring  thee  into  judgment."     He  look- 
ed upon  another  who  feemed  to  be  under  fome 
convmcement  of  truth,  but  did  not  live  in  obe- 
dience, and  faid.    "  Bleffed  are  they  that  hear 
♦'  the  word  of  God.  and  do  it."     And  to  ano- 
ther that  appeared  to  have  fought  after  the  ho- 
nour of  this  world  more  than  the  Lord's  ho- 
nour, he  faid,  "  He  looked  too  big  to  enter  in 
"at  the  ftrait  gate."     He  gave  particular  di- 
redlions  concerning  the  place  and  manner  of 
his    burial,    defiring  that   no   more  provifioii 
""u^ii-    .""^^^   than  was  fufficient,   having, 
whilftin  health,  borne  a  teftimony  againft  mak- 
ing luch  a  time,   a  time  of  feafting  inftead  of 
mourning.     One  of  his  brothers   alking  him 
how  It  was  with   him,  replied,  "  As  to  my 
"  eternal  ftate  nothing  but  well."     Soon  after, 
holding  up  his  hands  and  looking  upwards,  he 
laid,  "  Lord  Jefus,  into  thy  hands  I  commit 
"  my  fpint.  Lord  help  me  at  this  time,"  and 
lo  departed  in  quietnefs,  the  12/^  of  the  twelfth 
month,  1716,  aged  about  forty- two  years. 


A  Tejlimony 


(    43     ) 

A  TeJlimoJiy  from  friends  in  Virginia,  concerning 
Elizabeth  Small,  'zc;//^  ^  Benjamin 
Small,  (?/'Nancemond  County, 

SH  E  was  born  the  317?  of  the  fixth  month, 
1666.  Her  parents  Edmund  and  Eliza- 
beth Betfon,  were  pious  friends,  and  zealous 
for  the  truth,  whofe  care  in  the  education  of 
their  children,  had  the  defired  efFeft  on  this 
our  much  efteemed  friend  j  for  being  obedient 
to  the  manifeftation  of  divine  light,  it  fo  im- 
proved a  tender,  affedlionate,  and  affable  difpo- 
fition,  that  ihe  became  qualified  for,  and  en- 
dowed with  an  excellent  and  acceptable  gift  in 
the  miniftry,  fo  as  fuitably  to  difpenfe  doftrine, 
edification  and  confolation  to  the  churches. 
She  was  very  diligent  in  attending  meetings  of 
friends  in  this  colony,  even  beyond  what  could 
be  reafonably  expedted  from  fo  weakly  a  confti- 
tution,  and  was  earneft  in,  and  much  devoted  to, 
the  caufe  of  truth,  greatly  defiring  the  growth 
and  profperity  thereof,  fiying,  **  She  could  lay 
**  down  her  natural  life  for  it,  if  required." 
She  was  a  woman  of  a  generous  and  kind  difpo- 
fition,  as  well  in  helping  the  poor  as  entertain- 
ing friends,  faying,  (to  fuch  as  were  ready  to 
think  (he  would  do  more  than  her  circumftan- 
ces  would  admit  of)  **  that  (he  hoped  the  Lord 
*•  would  fo  provide  for  her,  that  Ihe  fhould 
**  never  want  what  was  convenient,  having 
**  never  defired  long  life  or  riches  for  herfelf  or 
**  children,  but  that  they  might  live  in  his 
**  fear." 

She 


(     44    ) 

She  was  taken  ill  the  2xji  of  the  feventh 
month,  1717,  being  the  firftday  of  the  yearly- 
meeting  at  Chuckatuk.  which  gave  opportunity 
to  divers  friends  from  different  parfs  of  the 
country  to  vifit  her,  to  whom  fhe  fignified  her 
peace  of  mind  and  fubmiffion  to  the  divine  will 
faying,  among  other  things,  "  If  the  Lord  has 
any  more  work  for  me  to  do,  he  can  raife  me 
up  again ;  otherwife  I  am  eafv  and  freely  re- 

/hefaid,  "  Dear  coufin,  thou  art  bone  of  my 
bone,  and  flefli  of  my  flefli  j  live  in  the  fear 
of  the  Lord     that  every  high  thought  may 
y  be  brought  down."     To  twofriends'belon/ 
ing  to  a  diftant  meeting  which  /he  had  oftfr, 
vifited,  Ae  faid,  «  I  have  not  ceafed  to  ad- 
monifli  you  heretofore,  and  now  again  defire 
you  would  be  valiant  for  the  truthfand  walk 
ftead.ly  therein,  and  remember  my  dear  love 
to  friends  of  the  meeting  to  which  you  be- 

u  "%    J^r.^  °^''?   ^P""^^  *°  friends.  "  To 
be  fteadfaft  in  the  truth;"  and  once  to  a 

public  friend  belonging  to  the  fame  meeting. 

earneftly  defiring  him,  «  To  be  valiant  for  tt 

good    caufe."     She  told  her  fon   William 

She  hoped  that  that  day  would  be  a  good  one 

to  her,     and  faid.     "  She  had  prayed  for  an 

eafy   paffage;"  and  accordingly  fl(e  quietly 

departed  the  25/^  of  the  feventh  monthVore! 

laid,    aged    fifty-two,    a    minifter    about 

years. 


(( 


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(     45     ) 

jin  Account  of  Ellis  Pugh,  extradled  from 
a  Tejltmony  from  Gwynedd  Monthly-Meeting 
concerning  him^  and  alfo  from  a  Jhort  fum^ 
mary  of  his  life^  both  of  which  are  prefixed 
to  a  book  he  wrote^  called,  A  Salutation  to 
the  Britons,  (Sc. 

ELLIS  PUGH  was  born  in  the  parifh  of 
Dolgelly,  in  the  count)/  of  Merioneth, 
and  dominion  of  Wales,  in  the  fixth  month, 
1656.  His  parents  were  religious  people;  but 
his  father  died  before  he  was  born,  and  his 
mother  a  few  days  after.  In  the  days  of  his 
youth,  when  going  with  the  multitude  into 
folly,  it  pleafed  God  by  his  judgment,  to  ftand 
in  his  way,  and  cauled  him  to  confider  the 
things  that  belonged  to  his  foul's  everlafting 
peace.  And  in  the  eighteenth  year  of  his  age, 
the  Lord  vifited  him  more  eminently,  kindling 
a  zeal  in  him  to  ferve  his  Creator  more  dili- 
gently; having  been  alfo  reached  by  the  tefti- 
mony  of  John-ap- John,  one  of  the  people  cal- 
led Quakers. 

God,  who  promifed  to  be  a  father  to  the  fa- 
therlefs,  took  care  of  him ;  and  about  the  year 
1680,  gave  him  a  part  in  the  miniftry  of  the 
gofpel  of  Chrift,  (notwithftanding  he  was  not 
one  of  the  wife  of  this  world,  nor  had  human 
learning)  yet  he  was  made  a  profitable  inrtru- 
ment  to  turn  divers  from  vanity,  and  to  exhort 
and  ftrengthen  many  in  their  fpiritual  journey, 
in  his  native  land,  and  alfo  in  this  country, 
where  he  finiflied  his  courle. 

In 


m 


4 


(    46    ) 

In  the  year   1686,  he  and  his  family,  with 
divers  of  his  acquaintance,   prepared  to  come 
over  to  Pennfylvania,   and  whilft  they  waited 
for   the  fhip    to   be  ready,   there  came  great 
trouble  and  exercife  upon  him,  fo  that  he  was 
fick  for  fome  days ;  in   which  ftrait  the  Lord 
fhewed    him,    that    they    fhould   meet    with 
troubles  and  exercifes  in  their  way,  and  that  he 
had  a  work  for  him  in  that  country,  and  muft 
return  again  to  his  native  land.   'After  they 
failed,    they    met    with    ftorms,    ftraits    and 
troubles ;  and  having  been  upon  the  tempeflu- 
ous  fea  all  winter,  they  arrived  at  Barbadoes, 
where  they  were  joyfully  and  lovingly  receiv- 
ed by  their  friends,  and  the  fummer  following 
in  the  year   1687,  they  arrived  in  Pennfylva- 
nia i  where  this  our  friend  was  a  ferviceable  in- 
Itrument  in  the  Lord's  hand,   to  cherifli  and 
inftrudl   us,   in  meeknefs   and   tendernefs,   to 
obey  that  which  God  made  known  unto  us  of 
his   will,  and   to  follow  and   underftand  the 
operation  of  his  fpirit,  difcovering  to  us  the 
fnares  of  the  enemy  of  our  fouls.     His  pious 
labours  (among  others  that  were  fitted  for  the 
lame  fervice)  have  been  profitable  in  direftina 
and  edifying  us  in   the  way  of  truth;  for  by 
the  tendernefs  and  influence  which  came  as 
dew  upon  our  fouls,   while  we  fat  under  his 
miniftry,  we  believed  his  dodtrine  was  of  God. 
In  the  year  1706,  he  was  engaged  to  vifit 
the  inhabitants  of  his  native  country,  accord- 
ing to  what  the  Lord  had  revealed  unto  him 
before  he  came  from  thence;  which  fervice  he 
performed    to   the   benefit  and  acceptance  of 
many,  and  returned   to  his  family  in    1708. 

After 


-■  4,W-  VtpKr  '-■safijft'iBMiwyv* 


(    47    ) 

After  he  came  home,  three  of  his  children,  ia 
the  flower  of  their  age,  who  from  their  youth 
walked  orderly,  and  were  hopeful,,  died  with- 
in one  month;  in  the  time  of  which  trial  the 
Lord  was  near  unto  him ;  he  mourned  not  as 
one  without  hope.  Strength  was  given  him 
to  bear  his  afflidlion.  He  faid  in  a  publick 
meeting,  *'  If  he  could  bear  his  affliition  ac- 
**  ceptably  in  the  fight  of  God,  it  would  be  as 
**  marrow  to  his  bones:"  which  teftimony, 
amongft  feveral  other  things,  was  to  the  edi- 
fication and  comfort  of  the  hearers.  His  refi- 
dence  was  then  nearer  to  us  than  before,  which 
rendered  his  life  and  converfation  more  con- 
fpicuous,  and  his  fellowfhip  more  known  unto 
us.  His  miniftry  was  living,  profitable,  and 
to  edification.  He  was  of  a  meek  and  quiet 
fpirit,  confiderate  and  folid  in  his  judgment, 
of  few  words,  honeft  and  careful  in  his  calling ; 
and  feveral  were  induced  to  fpeak  of  the  bene- 
fit they  received  by  his  chafte  converfation, 
and.  his  loving  and  comfortable  expreflions 
while  he  was  amongft  them  in  their  families. 
He  was  honourable  among  his  friends,  and  of 
good  report  among  all  people  generally,  there- 
fore his  memory  will  not  foon  wear  out. 

He  was  in  a  declining  ftate  of  bodily  health, 
about  a  year  and  three  months  before  his  de- 
ceafe,  fo  that  he  was  not  well  able  to  follow  his 
calling;  but  his  candle  fhined  brighter,  as  may 
be  (cm  by  perufing  his  treatife,  called,  *'  A 
**  Salutation  to  the  Britons;'*  which  he  wrote 
in  his  own  language,  in  the  time  of  his  long 
ficknefs,  when  his  view  was  tov/ards  that  whicli 
pertains  to  eternity;   more  especially  to  thofe, 

or 


4i 
id 


*  ^  ■l.J  JbsL^.'  ^iih.i<*-»gflH  ifl 


J 


(      48      ) 

or  for  the  fake  of  thofe  to  whom  the  falutation 
of  his  life  reached  over  fea  and  land,  for  the 
encouragement  and  iaftrudtion  of  them  that 
were  feeking  the  way  to  Sion,  the  New  Jeru- 
falem,  the  city  of  the  Great  King,  whofe  walls 
and  bulwarks  are  falvation. 

The  laft  meeting  he  was  at  among  us,  he  was 
weak  in  body,  but  fervent  in  fpirit,  as  one  tak- 
ing his  laft  leave  in  a  great  deal  of  love  and 
tendernefs,  faying,  that  the  Lord  granted  him 
his  defire  to  come  and  vifit  us  once  more;  put- 
ting us  in  mind  to  live  in  peace  and  unity,  and 
to  keep  out  from  amongft  us  as  much  as  we 
could,  all  ftrife  and  difcord  ;  and  when  any 
thing  appeared  which  had  a  tendency  there- 
unto, that  hands  fhould  be  laid  without^  delay 
to  end  it,  and  that  none  fliould  depend  upon 

his  own  hand,  eye,  or  balance  in  judgment. 

He  was   fitted  to  counfel  others,  becaufe  his 
life  and  converfation  was  anfwerable  to  his  tef- 
timony;  amongft  his  family  tender  and  careful 
to  counfel  them  to  live  in  the   fear  of  God. 
We  looked  upon  him  as  one  who  had  finifh- 
ed  his  work,  that  the  time  of  his  diflolution 
drew  nigh  :  And  that  he  might  fay  in  the  words 
of  Paul,  according  to  his  meafure,  ''  I  have 
"  fought  a  good  fight,    I  have   finiftied  my 
courfe,  I  have  kept  the  faith.     Henceforth 
there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righte- 
oufnefs,  which  the  Lord  the  righteous  judge 
fliall  give  me  at  that  day;  and  not  to  me 
only,  but  unto  all  them  alfo  that  love  his 
appearing.'' 

Being  patient  in.  his   tedious    indifpofition^ 
and  contented  to  wait  the  Lord's  time ;  he  flept 

with 


a 

€€ 


€€ 


«( 


4€ 


I* 


(    49     ) 

with  his  fathers  on  the  3^  day  of  the  tenth 
month,^  1718,  in  favour  with  God. 


c« 


ti 


t< 


€C 


T/?e  following  Tejiimony  concerning  William 
Haig,  was  furnijhed  by  a  committee  of  the 
Tearly^Meeting  of  North- Carolina. 

WILLIAM  HAIG  fenior  of  Pafquo- 
tank  county,  who  removed  from  An- 
tigua with  his  family,  and  fettled  in  this  pro- 
vince, was  of  a  loving  and  fweet  fpirit.  In  his 
laft  ficknefs,  as  fome  friends  were  fitting  by 
him,    he  was  filled    with    heavenly  joy,  and 
faid,  "  Friends,  I  am  glad  of  your  company, 
*'  I  feel  fo  much  of  the  blelfed  truth,  as  I 
hope  will  carry  me  into  that  joy  where  I 
fhall  praife  the  Lord  amongft  the  redeemed. 
I  hear  that  truth  profpers  mightily  in  Eng- 
land,  blefled  be  the  Lor^  for  it.*'     He  ex- 
horted all  his  children   with  many  heavenly 
expreffions,  took  his  folemn  leave  of  them,  and 
in  a  living  fenfe  of  truth,  prayed  to  God  for 
his  bleffing  upon  them ;  charging  them  **  io 
love  and  obey  their  mother,  learn  their  books, 
and  keep  to  the  truth.*'  He  faid  to  his  wife. 
My  dear,  thou  haft  been  a  true  wife  unto 
me ;    when  my  mind   was  drawn   to  love 
thee,  I  did  not  inquire  what  thou  hadft,  nor 
thou  what  I  had,   but  we  came  together  in 
love,    and  we  have  lived  in    love."     And 
when  his  fpeech  was  very  low,  he  fpake  to  his 
wife   thus,    "  The   Lord  blefs   thee  and  my 
*'  children,  God  Almighty  protciit  you.*'   To 

E  a  young 


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(      JO      ) 

a  young  woman  who   came  to  vifit  him,  lie 
faid,  *•  Fear  God,  keep  to   the   truth,  never 
*'  turn  thy  back  upon  it,  left  the  days  come 
"  in  which  thou  flialt  fay,  I  have  no  pleafure 
in  them:    As  for  me,  I  am  going  to  my 
place,  and  I  hope  it  will  be  in  everlafting 
reft/'  To  another  who  had  been  vifited  with 
great  ficknefs,  he  faid,  **  It  had   been  better 
•^  for  thee  to  have  died  in  thy  ficknefs,  than 
*'  to  live  to  forget  God."     He  prayed   that 
God  would  remember  all  his  people,  and  that 
their  dwelling  might  be  with  the  Lord,  add- 
ing,  ''  But  what  Ihall  I  fay,  there  are  too  many 
''  that  tread  the  teftimony  of  truth  underfoot; 
'  O !  gather  them  into  thy  fold  of  reft,  I  pray 
'  thee,  O  Lord  !"     To  a  friend  of  the  mini- 
ftry  he  faid,   ''  Thou  art  of  the  miniftry,  and 
''  haft  been  a  great  while,  and  I  am  but  young, 
*  but  I  would  advife  thee  to  be  careful  in  thy 
'  teftimony,  not  to  enlarge  beyond  thy  gift 
'  or  concern  ;  and  have  a  care  that  thou  do 
'  not  ftand  in  the  way  of  others,  or  fpeak  any 
'  thing  to  hurt  others  that  may  be  but  fmall 
'  or  tender  ;   but  wait   until  thou  art  filled, 
'  and  then  be  humble,  and  not  puiFed  up  with 
'  pride,  for  pride  goeth  before  a  fall."    After 
praying  unto  the  Lord  to  fettle  him  upon  the 
fure  foundation  and  rock  that  can  never  be  re- 
moved,  he  quietly  departed  this   life,  at  his 
own  houfe,  on  the  6th  of  the  eleventh  month, 
1718,  and  now  refts  in  joy. 


A  Teftimony 


(  50 

A  T'ejlimony  from  the  fame  committee  concerning 
Mary  Haig,  wife  of  the  afore/aid  SViWidim 
Haig- 

SHE  was  a  woman  of  an  exemplary  life  and 
converfation,  of  a  fweet  and  loving  beha- 
viour, and  was  favoured  with  a  gift  in  the  mi- 
niftry.    In  her  laft  ficknefs,   after  imparting 
her  mind  to  a  friend  about  her  outward  con- 
cerns, flie   fpoke  as  follows,  **  According  to 
my  fmall  gift,  I  have  difcharged  myfelf,  fo 
that  nothing  lieth  at  my    door.     O  !  that 
the  people  would  remember  the  words  that 
I  have  fpoken  among  them,  and  that  this 
young  generation  would  come  up  in  truth. 
As  for  me,  I   had  never  left  the  ifland  of 
Antigua,  if  it  were  not  that  I  might  have 
my  poor  children  amongft  faithful  friends  : 
I  have  feen  the  wonders  of  the  Lord  in  the 
deep  ocean,  and  witnefled  his  delivering  arm 
in  many  exercifes,    and    he  hath  kept  me 
fweet  and  clean  all  along  fince  I  knew  the 
truth.    Oh  !  that  my  children  may  remem- 
ber the  advice  they  have  received  of  their 
father  and  me  ;  I  am  clear,  having  done  my 
duty;    and  praifed  God  ;  alfo  uttered  many 
fweet  and  comfortable  expreffions.    At  another 
time  ftie  faid  to  fome  friends,  "  When  I  was 
but  nine  years  old  the  Lord  made  himfelf 
known   unto  me,  but   I  then  lived  where 
there  were  no  friends  ;  and  after  fome  time 
I  went  to  Pennfylvania,  and  there  met  with 
friends,     but    fome  were    loofe   and  light, 
others  were  folid    and   weighty,  and  with 

E  2  *'  thefe 


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(    52    ) 

thefe  I  joined,  and  received  much  benefit 
from  the  family  of  the  Lloyds.  After  I 
was  married,  we  went  to  Antigua,  and 
there  in  the  firil:  meeting,  the  power  of  the 
Lord  was  greatly  with  me,  infomuch  that 
the  people's  expeftations  were  upon  me  for 
words  ;  but  foon  after  it  pleafed  the  Lord 
to  fend  two  of  his  fervants,  Jofiah  Lang- 
**  dale  and  Thomas  Thomfon,  to  vifit  the 
*'  ifland,  when  the  power  of  the  Lord  did 
'*  break  in  upon  me  like  thunder  :*'  And  fig- 
nified  fhe  had  been  faithful  ever  fince  in  her 
meafure,  in  giving  up  to  the  work  of  the  Lord. 
On  the  day  of  her  deceafe,  (he  faid  to  fome 
prefent,  **  Friends,  be  loving  one  to  another, 
that  the  Lord  may  blefs  you.  The  love 
that  I  feel  in  my  heart  is  inexpreflible."  Af- 
ter a  while  fhe  defired  her  love  to  Lydia  Lan- 
cafter,  Elizabeth  Rawlinfon,  and  friends  ge- 
nerally, adding,  '*  Tell  them,  I  die  in  unity 
•*  with  all  faithful  friends."  Afterwards  fhe 
faid,  *'  My  hufband  is  gone,  but  I  fliall  not 
be  long  a  forrowful  widow  ;  yet  not  my 
will,  but  thine  be  done  ;  my  fpeech  fails  a- 
pace,  fweet  Lord  Jefus,  thou  haft  loved  me 
from  a  child,  and  I  have  loved  thee  ever 
fince  I  knew  thee,  and  my  cafe  is  no  doubt- 
ful cafe,  I  come,  I  come,  haften  thou  my 
journey." 

She  died  the  i^^A  of  the  eleventh  month, 
171 8,  aged  about  thirty-nine  years. 


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A  Te/limony 


(    Si    ) 

J  Tejiimony  from  the  afore  faid  committee'^  con^ 
cerning  Joseph  Glaister. 

TOSEPH  GLAISTER,  of  Pafquotank 
I  county,  formerly  of  Cumberland  in  Great- 
Britain,  who  removed  with  his  family,  and 
fettled  in  North-Carolina,  was  a  valuable  mi- 
nifter,  and  very  ferviceable  in  difcipline,  being 
well  qualified  therefor;  a  conftant  attender  of 
meetings  with  his  family,  and  one  who  tra- 
velled much  for  the  fpreading  of  truth.  In 
his  laft  ficknefs,  he  faid  to  fome  friends  that 
vifited  him,  '*  I  am  very  ill,  but  am  out  of  all 
doubt  of  my  falvation,  being  well  aflTured  of 
it."  Two  other  friends  coming  in,  he  ad- 
ded, "  Now  I  think  I  have  moft  of  the 
chief  friends  about  me  that  I  defired  \  dear 
friends,  give  me  up  freely,  that  I  may  not 
be  kept  longer  in  mifery,  for  I  can  fay  with 
one  of  old.  Lord,  I  have  long  waited  for  thy 
falvation,  and  now  have  an  afTurance  of  it, 
and  although  the  pains  are  great,  yet  the 
comfort  and  pleafure  I  fee  before  me  do 
outbalance  them  all."— Again  he  faid,  "  He 
hoped  that  friends  might  keep  their  places 
in  being  faithful,  and  not  to  fhrink  one 
from  another  when  troubles  or  differences 
may  arife  in  the  church,  or  amongft  neigh- 
bours, by  any  evil  fpirit  that  may  get  into 
any  unfaithful  one,  for  want  of  a  due,  true, 
and  faithful  watch ;  and  then  if  any  fuch 
thing  do  happen,  pray  friends,  I  hope  that 
fuch  as  now  are,  or  may  then  be,  do  ftand 
firm  together,  and  give  judgment  in  or  by 

E  3  "a  living, 


(     54    ) 

"  a  living,  freft,  and  divine  fpirit,  and  keep 

^'  conftant  in  mind,   and  thereby  the  tranf- 

**  greflbr  or  tranfgreffors  may  be  judged  down, 

'*  and  not  able  to  refift;   but  if  you  fee  them 

"  in  any  thing  tender,  then  dear  friends,  turn 

*'  to  them  with  bowels  of  love ;  and  perhaps 

*'  in  fo  doing,  you  may  gain  fuch  as  in  time 

"  part:  may  have  gone  aftray/'     He  went  on 

fpeaking  of  the  great  love  and  unity,  and  the 

many  good  times  he  had  had  with  us  ;  having 

his  fpirit  borne  up  by  the  ancient  arm  that  had 

been   from  time  to  time  his    great    fupport. 

Near  his  end,  we  were  fenfible  of  his  being 

engaged  in  prayer,  but  being  almoft  fpent,  we 

could  not  hear  every  word  fo  as  to  pen  it  down. 

Thus  this  good  man   ended  his   life,  with  a 

itnk  of  the  great  love  of  God  to  his  foul,  on 

the  31//  of  the  eleventh   month,    1718,  aged 

about  forty.five  years,  and  a  minifter  about  24 

years.  ^ 


A  TeJIimony  from  Ken  net  Monthly-Meeting  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  Yi^ce^t  Cald- 
well. 

TTE  was  born  in  DcrbyHiire,  Great-Britain, 
^^  and  was  convinced  about  the  \jth  ov  iSt/j 
year  of  his  age,  by  the  minirtry  of  fohn  Grat- 
ton;  having  received  the  truth  in 'the  love  of 
It,  and  continuing  faithful,  the  Lord  was 
pleafed  to  commit  to  him  a  difpenf-tion  of  the 
gofpel,  fo  that  he  had  to  declare  to  others  of 
the  goodnefs  of  God   to   his  foul.     He  came 

over 


(  S5  ) 
over  into  Pennfylvania,  and  after  his  marriage 
fettled  in  Eaft  Marlborough  in  Chefter  county. 
His  miniftry  was  found  and  edifying,  being 
attended  with  the  power  of  truth,  and  adorned 
with  an  exemplary  converfation  j  in  the  exer- 
cife  whereof  he  twice  vifited  the  meetings  of 
friends  in  the  fouthern  provinces,  and  once  in 
divers  of  the  Weft-India  iflands,  where  he  was 
made  inftrumental  to  the  convincing  of  many; 
for  though  he  had  but  little  fchool-learning, 
yet  being  as  a  good  Scribe,  well  inftruded  unto 
the  kingdom,  did  at  times  bring  forth  out  of 
the  treafury  things  new  and  old. 

His  laft  ficknefs  continued  about  fix  days, 
wherein  he  was  preferved  in  a  fweet,  fenfible, 
and  tender  frame  of  fpirit,  and  at  times  fpoke 
in  fubftance  as  follows,  viz.  The  doftor  com- 
ing to  vifit  him,  he  faid  with  cheerfulnefs, 
*'  I  would  have  thee  fpeak  thy  mind  freely 
'*  concerning  me,  for  I  am  not  afraid  to  die.'* 
The  dodlor,  after  fome  paufe,  fignitied  the 
doubt  he  had  of  his  recovery ;  which  bringing 
an  awful  filence  over  his  mind,  he  broke  forth 
in  earnell:  fupplication  to  the  Lord  for  the  weU 
fare  of  Sion,  and  exhorted  friends  prefent  to 
love  and  unity,  and  to  beware  of  that  fpirit 
which  would  lead  into  a  feparation.  He  fpoke 
clearly  to  the  ftates  of  fome,  warning  them  to 
fear  the  Lord,  and  walk  humbly  before  him, 
and  then  they  would  be  made  partakers  of  his 
divine  and  heavenly  bleffing.  He  prayed  the 
Lord  to  profper  his  work,  and  faid,  *'  The 
Lord  will  caufe  his  glorious  truth  to  break  forth 
in  the  north  country,  and  among  the  Ethiopi- 
ans,*' in  a  fight  and  itnk  whereof  he  rejoiced. 

E  4  Another 


r 


I 


(  56  ) 

Another  time,  his  wife  fitting  by  him,  he 
looked  earneftly  at  her  and  faid,  **  My  dear, 
do  not  be  furprifed,  for  in  time  thou  wilt  come 
into  that  reft  that  I  am  going  into."  She  que- 
ried, ''  Doft  thou  think  fo  ?"  He  faid,  '*  I  have 
no  doubt  of  it."  Then  taking  leave  of  her, 
he  faid,  **  Thou  haft  been  a  loving  wife,  a 
tender  mother,  and  a  good  neighbour."  Tak- 
ing leave  of  his  children  one  by  one,  he  charged 
them  to  be  loving  and  obedient  to  their  mo- 
ther, and  not  to  go  out  in  their  marriages.  He 
prayed  the  Lord  to  make  his  paffage  eafy,  and 
receive  him  gracioufly  into  his  arms  of  reft  and 
peace  for  ever ;  and  defined  his  love  to  friends 
in  general  at  their  monthly,  quarterly,  and 
yearly  meetings,  and  meeting  of  minifters.  Af- 
ter which,  being  fenfible  his  end  drew  near, 
he  faid,  **  Give  me  a  little  water,  and  I  think 
I  ftiall  not  want  any  more,  till  I  drink  at 
that  fountain  which  fprings  up  into  eternal 
hie." — Thus,  in  a  refigned  frame  of  mind, 
he  finilhed  his  courfe,  the  loth  day  of  the  firft 
month,  1719-20,  in  the  forty-fixth  year  of 
his  age,  and  was  interred  in  friends  burying- 
ground  at  Kennet.  Concerning  whom  we  be- 
lieve, he  is  entered  into  the  manfions  of  glory, 
where  **  The  wicked  ceafe  from  troubling, 
!*  and  the  weary  are  at  reft." 


<( 


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A  Tejlimony 


i 


(    57    ) 

J  Tejlimony  from  the  Monthly-Meeting  (?/ Phi- 
ladelphia, concerning  hv^T^o^Y  Morris. 

OUR    ancient   and   well   efteemed   friend 
Anthony  Morris,  was  a  member  of  this 
meeting  at  the  early  inftitution  thereof,  and 
in  the  year  1701  appeared  in  the  miniftry,  and 
being  obedient  and  faithful,  he  foon  became 
acceptable  and  edifying,  being  found  in  word 
and  doftrine.     He  was  advanced  to  his  forty- 
feventh  year  when  he  engaged  in  this  fervice, 
and  having  a  profpeft  of  a  great  work  before 
him,  requiring  his  clofe  application,  he  drew 
his  worldly  bufinefs  into  a  narrow  compafs, 
and  devoted  his  time  principally  to  the  fervice 
of  truth  ;  not  only  vifiting  neighbouring  meet- 
ings, but  alfo  travelled  through  New-Jerfey, 
Long-Illand,  Rhode-Ifland,  New-England,  and 
Maryland  ;  and  about  the  year  1715,  perform- 
ed a  vifit  to  friends  in  South-Britain.      He  was 
early  appointed  clerk  of  our  monthly-meeting, 
which  fervice  he  performed  many  years  to  fatis- 
fadlion  ;  being  zealous  and  ferviceable  in  the 
difcipline,  a  diligent  attender  of  all  our  reli- 
gious meetings,  careful  in  obferving  the  time 
appointed,  and  often  concerned  to  exhort  fuch 
to  amendment  as  were  remifs  herein. 

In  the  eighth  month,  1721,  his  fpeech  was 
much  affedted  by  frequent  attacks  of  a  paraly- 
tic diforder,  but  his  underftanding  remaining 
clear,  and  being  favoured  with  the  enjoyment 
of  divine  love,  he  was  enabled  to  utter  fome 
fentcnces  to  thofe  that  vihted  him,  fiying, 
«*  That  if,  confiftent  with  the  divine  will,  the 

**  time 


i 


4 


(    58    ) 

*'  time  of  his  diflblution  was  at  hand,  it  would 
*^  be  more  joyous  to  depart  now,  than  conti- 
"  nue  longer  in  the  body."    Yet  exprefTed  his 
free  refignation  to  the  will  of  God,  and  in  an 
humble  tender  frame  of  fpirit  mentioned  the 
teftimony  Chrift  gave  concerning  the  woman 
who  poured  on  his  head  the  precious  ointment, 
faying,  '*  He  was  favoured  with  the  evidence 
*'  in  himfelf,  that  he  had  done  what  he  could, 
"  and  felt  peace;"    expreffing    at    the  fame 
time,    "  That  his  hope  for  eternal   falvation 
"  was  alone  in  the  mercy  of  God  through  his 
"  Son  Chrift  Jefus,  the  only  Saviour  and  Me- 
*'  diator."     Some  friends,  who  were  goino^  to 
attend  a  neighbouring  yearly  meeting,  coming 
to  vifit  him,  he  took  an  affectionate  leave  of 
them,  faying,  '*  Remember  my  dear  love  to 
*'  friends  in  general ;  tell   them  I  am  eoine 
''  and  all  is  well."  ^      ^ 

He  departed  this  life  the  23^  of  the  eighth 
month,  1 72 1,  aged  fixty-feven  years  ;  and  on 
the  2^tA  his  corpfe  was  borne  to  our  meeting- 
houfe  in  High-ftreet,  accompanied  by  many 
friends  and  neighbours,  as  well  as  friends  from 
the  adjacent  country  meetings,  and  thence  to 
our  burial  ground  in  this  city,  where  it  was 
interred.  Concerning  whom  we  hope,  he  hath 
obtained  an  entrance  into  the  manfions  prepared 
by  Chrift  Jefus  our  Lord,  for  thofe  who  con- 
tinue faithful  to  the  end  of  their  time  here, 
as  did  this  our  friend. 


WQ 


I 

i 


(     59    ) 

2w(J  Extracts  from  Thomas  Chalkley's  Jour- 
nal, concerning  Thomas  Lightfoot. 


I 


<< 


<< 


N  the  eighth  month,  1725,  I  went  to  Derby 
to  vifit  our   worthy   agfid    friend   Thomas 
Lightfoot,  who  lay  very  weak  in  body,  none 
expefting  his  recovery  ;  I  called  as  I  went  from 
home,  and  then  he  was  very  ill,  and  told  me, 
"  He  thought  that  illnefs  would  conclude  his 
**  time  in  this  world,  but  faid   that  all  was 
'*  well,  and  likewife  that  he  had  a  great  con- 
**  cern   upon   his   mind  for  the  growth    and 
profperity  of  truth  in  the  earth,  and  defired 
with  tendernefs  of  fpirit,  that  I  would  give 
'*  his   dear  love  to  all  friends;"     and  he  now 
faid,  "  I  never  thought  to  fee  thee  more,   but 
''  am  glad  to  fee  thee."  I  ftayed  there  all  night, 
and  in  the  morning  we  had  a  comfortable  heart- 
melting  time  together,  in  which  was  revived 
the  remembrance  of  the  many  favourable  fea- 
fons  of  God's  love  we  had  enjoyed  in  our  tra- 
vels in  the  work  of  the  miniftry  of  the  gofpel 
of  Chrift,  and  we  tenderly  prayed  if  we  never 
met   more  in  this  world,  we  might  meet  im 
that  which  is  to  come,  where  we  might  never 
part  more,  but  might  for  ever  live  to  fing  with 
all  the  faints  and  holy  angels,  Hallelujah  to  God 
and  the  Lamb. 

In  the  ()th  month,  1725,  I  was  at  the  funeral 
of  our  ancient  worthy  friend  Thomas  Lightfoot. 
He  was  buried  at  Derby  ;  the  meeting  was  the 
largeft  that  I  have  ever  feen  at  that  place.  Our 
dear  friend  was  greatly  beloved  for  his  piety 
and  virtue,  his  fweet  difpofition,    and  lively 

miniftry : 


t.aaaa»'i»fcaw8MJsa3fr«ft^iv 


w 


is 


(       60       ) 

miniflry  :  The  Lord  was  with  him  in  his  life 
and  death,  and  with  us  at  his  burial. 

This  our  friend  removed  from  Ireland  in  an 
advanced  age,  and  fettled  in  Chefter  county, 
Pennfylvania.  In  1724,  being  then  near  four-' 
Icore  years  of  age,  he,  with  Benjamin  Kidd,  a 
young  minifter  from  England,  paid  a  generd 
vifi't  to  friends  in  New-England. 


^  fcjllmony  from  Nottingham  Monthly-Meet^ 
tng   in    Pennfylvania,    concerning   Aaron 

CoPPOC  K, 

TT  appears  he  was  born  in  Chefliire  in  Old 
England,    the   2^th  of  the   tenth   month, 
1662,  was  convinced  of  the  truth  when  a  young 
man,  came  to  America  foon  after,  and  lived 
near  Chefter;  about  the  year  171 4,  he,  with 
hjs  family,  fettled  at  Nottingham  in  faid  coun- 
ty ;  being  a  man  of  an  exemplary  conducfl,  and 
much  efteemed  by  friends,  he  was  chofen  an 
elder  for  the  particular  meeting  of  Eaft-Not- 
tingham,  until  he  appeared  in  a  public  tefti- 
niony,  and  therein  was  often  concerned  to  ex- 
hort friends  to  a  life  of  felf-denial,  watchful- 
nels,  and  prayer,  the  which  he  did  in  great 
fmcerity,  zeal,  and   innocency.     In   the  fore^ 
part  of  his  ilhiefs  he  complained  of  much  po- 
verty, but  before  he  died  he  had  a  profpeft  of 
happinefs,  and  a  fure  hope  of  obtaining  the 
fime.      He    departed    this    life  on    the   10/^ 
day    of   the    tenth   month,    1725,    and    was 
buried   m    friends    burying-ground   in    Eaft. 

Nottingham 


^ 


I'* 
■J 


(     61     ) 

Nottingham  the  i2Mof  the  fame  month,  aged 
fixty-three,  and  a  minifter  7  years. 


A  T^eftimony  from  Salem  Monthly -Meeting  in 
New- Jerfey,  concerning  James  Daniel 
fenior. 

THE  memory  of  the  righteous  cannot  foon 
be  forgotten  by  thofe  who  follow  their 
footfteps,  but  are  as  memorials,  deeply  en- 
graven on  their  minds,  and  are  worthy  to  be 
had  in  remembrance,  of  which  number  was  that 
fteady  friend  and  exemplary  elder  James  Daniel, 
whofe  pious  life  and  favoury  converfation  is 
frefli  in  fome  of  our  memories. 

He  was  born  in  Ireland  about  the  year 
1675;  his  father  Neal  Daniel  brought  him 
over  fea  when  about  five  years  of  age,  and  fet- 
tled in  Alloway's-Creek  townfhip,  in  the  coun- 
ty of  Salem,  Weft- Jerfey;  at  which  time  the 
white  people  were  but  few,  and  the  natives 
a  multitude.  He  learned  their  language  per- 
fedlly,  and  has  frequently  faid,  that  at  that  time 
the  natives  were  a  fober,  grave,  and  temperate 
people,  and  ufed  no  manner  of  oath  in  their 
fpeech.  About  the  i  z^th  year  of  his  age  his  fa- 
ther died,  leaving  him  in  the  care  of  friends  to 
be  educated  in  the  way  of  truth,  which  he  em- 
braced in  the  love  of  it ;  and  as  he  grew  in  age, 
he  grew  in  experience  and  divine  favour,  and 
had  a  fhare  of  the  overfight  of  the  flock  and 
elderftiip  conferred  upon  him,  which  he  faith- 
fully performed  in  the  fpirit  of  love  and  meek- 
nefs,  thereby  rendering  his  fervice  acceptable, 

and 


i 


(      62      ) 

and  obtaining  a  good  report.     He  ruled  hhs 
own   houfe  well,   having  his  children  in  fub* 
jedion :    diligent   in    attending  meetings    for 
worihipand  difcipline,  although  for  many  years 
with  difficulty,   the  country  being  new,  and 
roads  not  made;  but  afterwards  he,  with  con- 
fiderable  coll:  and  labour,  got  bridges  eredled 
oyer  fome  creeks,  and  a  public  road  made  near 
his   own  houfe.      His   houfe  and   heart  werp 
open  to  entertain  friends  according  to  his  abi- 
lity;  was  zealoufly  concerned  for  the  honour 
of  God   and  promotion   of  truth.      He  often 
lamented,  that  as  the  country  grew  older  the 
people    grew  worfe,    and  had    corrupted   the 
natives  in  their    morals,    teaching    them  bad 
words,   and  the  exceflive  ufe  of  ftrong  drink, 
which  he,  during  many  years  in  the  latter  part 
of  his  time,  for  example's  fake  took  none  of, 
and  frequently  admonifhed  fuch  as  were  in  the 
ufe  thereof,  to  obferve  great  temperance. 

In  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  he  defired  his 
eldeft  fons  to  take  the  care  of  his  temporal  con- 
cerns upon  them,  for  his  mind  feemed  diverted 
therefrom  as  much  as  though  he  pofTefTed  no- 
thing (a  good  example  for  all  elders ;  for  for- 
rowful  experience   (hews   us,   that  too  many, 
as  they  grow  in  years,  grow  more  clofely  at- 
tached   to    the   earth ;    which   is  a  forrowful 
profpedt  and  poor  example  to  the  rifing  gene- 
ration)   but   devoted    his    mind    and    time  to 
truth's  fervice,  often  accompanying  friends  in 
their  religious  engagements,  to  his  great  fatis- 
fadion. 

Whilft  in  health,  the  Lord  gave  him  a  fenfe 
that  his  departure  drew  near;  foon  afterwards 

he 


(     63     ) 

he  was  taken  with  the  pleurify,  and  lay  about 
eight  days,  during  which  time  he  gave  much 
good  advice  to  his  family,  friends  and  neigh- 
bours that  came  to  fee  him,  to  whom  he  alfo 
t^ave  evident  proofs  of  a  happy  exit.  The  day 
before  his  departure,  many  friends  and  neigh- 
bours came  and  had  a  religious  meeting,  after 
which,  feveral  taking  leave,  he  faid,  **  I  am 
**  glad  of  this  vifit  and  of  the  meeting,  but  I 
**  have  a  great  concern  on  my  mind  for 
•*  this  generation,*'  mentioning  many  grow- 
ing evils  then  prevalent,  and  faid,  **  Many  of 
**  the  elders  are  called  away,  and  more  muit 
**  foon;  but  I  hope  the  Lord  will  raife  up 
•*  fome  that  fhall  be  faithful  and  zealous." 
The  evening  of  his  deceafe,  he  took  his  fo- 
lemn  leave  of  all  prefent,  beginning  with  his 
wife,  and  afterwards  his  children  in  order,  giv- 
ing each  fomething  in  charge ;  to  one  parti- 
cularly he  faid,  **  Thou  doll  not  know  what 
•*  fervice  the  Lord  hath  for  thee  to  do  in  thy 
**  generation."  So  remaining  fenlible  until 
about  the  ic/Ahour,  he  departed  like  one  fall- 
ing into  a  fweet  fleep,  at  his  own  houfe  on  the 
2bth  of  the  tenth  month  1726,  in  the  fifty- 
fecond  year  of  his  age. 


Extractfrom  Thomas  Chalkley's  Journal,  con^^ 

cerning  John  Lee, 

THE   2jth  of  the  tenth  month  1726,  I 
heard  the  news  of  the  death  of  my  dear 
friend  John  Lee :  it  affeded  me  with  forrow, 

he 


(    64    ) 

he  being  an  old  acquaintance  and  inward  friend 
of  mine,  with  whom  I  had  travelled  many 
miles.  He  was  a  living  ferviceable  minifter 
of  the  gofpel  of  Chrift,  and  inftrumental  to 
convince  divers  of  that  principle  of  divine 
light  and  truth  which  we  profcfs.  Our  love 
and  friendfliip  was  conftant  and  intire  unto 
the  end,  having  been  acquainted  about  thirty- 
five  years  as  near  as  I  can  remember. 


"'^^. 


1 


ji  Tejiimony  from  New-Garden  Monthly-Meet^ 
ing  in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  Caleb 
P  u  s  E  Y. 

HE  was  born  in  Berkihire,  Old  England,  and 
educated  in  the  Baptifts  profeiTion,  but 
after  he  arrived  to  years  of  religious  confider- 
ation,  he  was  convinced  of  the  principles  of 
truth  as  profeiTed  by  the  people  called  Quakers. 
In  the  year  1682,  he  removed  to  Pennfylvania 
and  fettled  near  Chefter,  where  he  refided  a 
confiderable  time,  then  removed  to  Marl- 
borough in  the  fame  county,  where  he  dwelt 
the  remainder  of  his  days. 

He  was  a  worthy  elder  of  the  church,  being 
endowed  with  a  good  natural  capacity,  found 
in  judgment,  and  zealous  in  maintaining  the 
caufe  of  truth  againll:  contrary  and  contending 
fpirits.  His  conftancy  in  attending  meetings 
for  worfhip  and  difcipline  was  remarkable  and 
worthy  of  imitation.  Much  might  be  faid  of 
his  zeal  and  integrity  for  truth,  which  he  re- 
tained to  the  laft,  but,  for  brevity's  fake,  let  it 

futticc. 


'\ 


(     65     ) 

fuffice,  that  he  was  a  jujl  man^  therefore  let 
him  be  had  in  remembrance. 

His  laft  illnefs  was  heavy  upon  him  for  fix 
days;  during  which  he  was  preferved  fenfible; 
fignifying  *is)bat  a  brave  thing  it  was  to  be  pre^ 
pared  for  death.  The  morning  before  he  died, 
being  afked  by  his  fon-in-law  how  he  did, 
anfwered,  **  The  time  was  near  come  that  he 
mufl:  leave  the  world;"  to  which  his  fon  re- 
plied, **  Father,  I  hope  that  is  no  furprize  to 
thee;  he  anfwered,  "  No,  No;**  after  v^hich 
he  fpoke  little  that  could  be  underftood,  only 
defired,  "  That  friends  might  keep  their  meet- 
ings in  uprightnefs.'* 

Pie  died  the  25M  of  the  twelfth  month 
1726-7,  in  the  feventy-fixth  year  of  his  age, 
and  was  interred  in  friends  burying  ground  at 
London  Grove. 


A  Tejimonyfrom  the  Monthly-Meeting  ^Phila- 
delphia, concerning  Hannah  Hill. 

/^  U  R  worthy  and  much  efteemed  friend 
^^  Hannah  Hill,  wife  of  Richard  Hill,  and 
daughter  of  Thomas  Lloyd  (formerly  gover- 
nor of  this  province),  by  Mary  the  daughter 
of  Gilbert  Jones,  of  Welchpool,  was  born  in 
Montgomeryfliire,  North  Wales,  at  the  feat  of 
her  anceftors  called  Dolobran,  the  2\Ji  of  the 
fevcnth  month  1666.  She  was  a  woman  high- 
ly favoured  of  the  Lord,  polfelTed  many  ex- 
cellent Chriftian  virtues,  as  well  as  natural 
accomplifhments.  Coming  over  into  thi^  coun- 

F  try 


I- 


(     66     ) 

try  with  her  parents  when  young,  foon  after 
their  arrival  it  pleafed  the  Lord  to  remove  her 
pious  mother  by  death,  when  the  care  of  the 
younger  children  devolved  upon  her.  This 
clofe  trial  in  the  earlier  part  of  her  time  was 
abundantly  fandlified  to  her;  for  her  mind 
being  engaged  to  feek  the  Lord  for  her  por- 
tion, and  her  father's  God  for  the  lot  ot  her 
inheritance,  he  was  gracioully  pleafed,  not 
only  to  favour  her  with  the  knowledge  of 
himfelf,  and  the  enjoyment  of  his  living  pre- 
fence  in  the  days  of  her  youth,  but  alfo  made 
her  a  fingular  inftrument  of  good,  and  a  blef- 
fing  to  her  father's  family.  As  flie  grew  in 
years,  her  confpicuous  virtues,  joined  with  a 
courteous  deportment,  juftly  gained  the  efteem 
and  favour  of  moll:  if  not  all  with  whom  Ihe 
converfed.  Being  earneftly  folicited  in  mar- 
riage by  John  Delaval,  who  (though  a  worthy 
man),  was  not  at  that  time  of  the  fame  religious 
communion,  llie,  by  her  prudent  conduit  and 
pious  refolution  to  maintain  the  principles  flie 
profelTed,  without  deviating  therefrom  in  a 
matter  of  fuch  importance,  did  not  agree 
thereto;  until  he  after  Ibme  time  embraced 
the  truth  in  fincerify  of  heart,  and  bore  his 
crofs  like  an  humble  follower  of  Chrift  :  he 
received  a  gift  in  the  miniftry,  and  continued 
faithful  therein  to  his  death;  concerning 
whom  fhe  gave  this  teftimony,  viz.  "  That 
he  never  ufed  to  her  an  expreflion  of  anger,  or 
the  produd:  of  a  diliurbed  mind."  The  de- 
ceafe  of  her  hulband  proved  to  her  a  time  of 
deep  probation,  having  been  heard  to  fay,  that 
in  ei2:ht  weeks  time  the  loll:  eight  of  her  family 

by 


^ 


■I 


(  67  ) 
by  death,  beginning  with  the  deccafe  of  her 
beloved  hulband,  and  ending  with  that  of  hef 
only  child.  Under  which  afflidting  circum- 
ftances,  as  well  as  what  attended  her  the  re- 
maining part  of  her  life  (of  which  Hie  had  a 
large  fhare)  flie  approved  herfelf  a  fhining  ex- 
ample of  patience  in  tribulation,  and  a  meek, 
humble,  felf-denying  follower  of  Chrift. 

In  the  affluent  ftation  in  which  divine  pro- 
vidence had  placed  her,  her  benevolent  difpo- 
lition  was  confpicuous  in  adminiftering  to  the 
neceffities  of  the  indigent,  her  charity  not  be- 
ing limited   to  thofe  of  her  own  profeffion. 
bhe  was  a  true  fervant  of  the  church,  and  in 
the  fenfe  of  the  apoftle's  expreffions,   "  One 
that  wafted   the  faints  feet,"  receiving  with 
joy  into  her  houfe,   the  minifters  and  meffen- 
gers  of  the  gofpel,   for  whom  her  love  was 
great.    The  low.  the  poor,  and  the  mean,  were 
objefts  of  her  peculiar  care. 

In  her  younger  years  (he  received  a  gift  in 
the  mmiftry,   which  Hie  retained  with  faith- 
hilnefs   to  the  end ;  and  though  not  large  in 
her  appearance,   yet  with  great  modefty  and 
foundnefs  of  exprefTion,    "  her  do<ftrine  drop- 
ped as  the  dew,  and  diftilled  as  the  fmall  rain," 
and  was  therefore  truly  acceptable.     She  tra- 
velled in  thefervice  of  the  gofpel,  to  New-Eng- 
land, and  divers  other  parts  of  this  continent, 
and  was  alfo  concerned  for  the  good  order  and 
difcipline  of  the  church,  having  for  a  number 
of  years  ferved  in  the  ftation  of  clerk  of  the 
women's  monthly,  quarterly,  and  yearly  meet- 
ings, wherein  fhe  gave  fatisfadlion. 

f  2  Although 


¥\ 


I 


(    68     ) 

Although    bodily  weaknefs   frequently   at- 
tended her  in  the  latter  years  of  her  life,  it  did 
not  abate  her  love  and  zeal  for  the  everlafting 
truth,  which  (he  experienced  to  be  her  fup- 
port  in  every  time  of  trial  -,  and  when  her  dif- 
folution  drew  near,  flie  made  divers  feafonable 
remarks    and    obfervations,  alfo   fignified  her 
acquiefcence  with  the  divine  will,  in  the  dif- 
penfations  of  his  providence  towards  her;  at 
one  time  particularly  mentioning  the  expref- 
fions  of  the  apoftle,  **  That  no  chaftening  for 
"  the  prefent  feemeth  to  be  joyous,  but  griev- 
*'  ous,  neverthelefs,  afterward  it  yieldeth  the 
"  peaceable  fruit  of  righteoufnefs  unto  them 
<*  which   are   exercifed  thereby/*     This  was 
her  happy  experience  -,  and  after  a  well-fpent 
life,  interfperfed  with  a  variety  of  exercifmg 
viciffitudes,   flie  exchanged  this  ftate  of  exift- 
ence  (no  doubt)  for  a  bleffed  immortality  in 
the  regions  of  unmixed  felicity;  after  about 
three  weeks  illnefs,  on  the  25/A  of  the  twelfth 
month   1726-7,  in   the  fixty-firft  year  of  her 
age.     Her  corpfe  was  refpedtfully  attended  by 
a  lar<^e  number  of  friends  and  others,  to  the 
High-ftreet   meeting -houfe   in    Philadelphia, 
where  divers    living  teftimonies  were  borne, 
after  which  it  was"  interred  in  friends  burial 

ground. 

She  was  twenty-fix  years  the  wife  of  Richard 
Hill,  who  was  a  ferviceable  member  both  in 
church  and  ftate,  and  died  in  good  efteem,  the 
ji^tb  of  the  feventh  month  1729. 


(     69     ) 

A  Teftimony  from  Haddonfield  Monthly-Meet- 
ing  in^cw-Jcrky,  co/icernmg  James  Lord, 


H 


E  received  a  lively  gift  of  the  gofpel  mi- 
niftry  whilft  young  in  years,  was  fre- 
quently exercifed  therein  to  the  edification  and 
encouragement  of  friends;  and  was  much  con- 
cerned for  the  true  Sioners,  that  they  might 
hold  on  their  way,  and  that  the  outcafts  of 
Ifrael  might  be  gathered  home  into  the  true 
fold  of  reft.  An  exemplary  man,  by  which 
he  greatly  adorned  the  dodrine  he  preached ; 
was  called  from  works  to  rewards  in  the  flower 
of  his  age,  being  in  his  thirty-fourth  year,  and 
in  the  year  1727. 


ExtraElfrom  Thomas  Chalkley's  Journal,  con- 
cerning the  afore/aid  ] AMES  Lord. 

/^N  fecond  day,  the  i^th  of  the  feventh 
^^  month  1727,  I  had  the  forrovvfal  tidings 
of  the  death  of  my  beloved  friend  James  Lord; 
who,  on  his  death-bed,  defired  that  I  might 
be  fcnt  for  to  his  burial.  In  the  confideration 
of  that  Chriftian  love  which  was  between  us, 
I  think  I  may  truly  note,  that  we  were  always 
glad  to  meet  each  other  ;  therefore  the  thoughts 
of  this  fudden  change  and  final  parting,  brought 
for  the  prefent,  a  fadnefs  and  heavinefs  over 
my  mind;  confidering  his  ftation  in  that  neigh- 
bourhood, and  fervice  in  that  congregation  to 

F  3  which 


(    70    ) 

which  he  did  belong;  for  therein  he  was  well- 
beloved  and  very  ferviceable. 

And  oh !  the  lofs  that  his  dear  wife  and  ten- 
der children  will  have  of  him,  really  afFefts 
me  with  forrow  in  penning  thefe  notes;  but 
the  forrow,  in  thefe  things,  is  all  on  our  fide; 
for  he,  without  doubt,  is  at  reft  with  his  great 
Mailer  in  Heaven.  We  had  a  larger  meeting 
at  his  funeral  than  ever  was  known  to  be  there 
before  (as  an  ancient  friend  told  me),  which 
was  folemn  and  ferviceable  to  many. 


Some  account  c/'John  Bevan,  copied  from  a 
manufcripty  appearing  to  be  a  tejl'wiony  from  a 
meeting  in  Wales  concerning  him,  the  conclufion 
of  'which  is  wanting.  And  though  he  was 
horn  and  died  in  that  country,  yet  having  lived 
many  years  in  Pennfylvania,  the  following  me^ 
morial  is  thought  not  improper  to  be  inferted  in 
this  Col  legion. 

/^UR  deceafed  friend  John  Bevan,  the  worthy 
^^  fubjedt  of  our  teftimony,  having  deferved 
to  have  his  name  tranfmitted  to  pofterity,  for 
his  pious  life  and  converfation,  the  following 
account  of  him,  probably,  will  not  only  be 
fatisf^idory  to  his  relations,  friends,  and' ac- 
quaintance, but  afford  edification  and  comfort 
to  thofe  who  knew  him  not, 

lie  was  born  about  1646,  and  well  de- 
fcendcd;  his  parents  died  when  he  was  very 
young,  leaving  five  children,  of  whom  he  was 
the  cldeli.     In    1665  he  married   a  religious 

woman. 


(  71  ^ 

woman.  His  father  had  left  him  a  confider- 
able  eftate,  but  the  reft  of  the  children  were 
unprovided  for;  he  therefore,  when  he  came 
of  age  (his  fifter  being  dead  before),  portioned 
all  his  brothers,  and  gave  them  a  helpful  fub- 
fiftence  in  the  world.  Some  years  after,  he 
was  convinced  of  the  blefled  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jefus,  the  manner  whereof,  as  he  himfelf  hath 
left  it  in  writing,  was  thus: 

*  My  wife  was  religioufly  inclined  in  her 
young  years,  and  zealoufly  concerned  to  ob- 
ferve  the  ceremonies  of  the  church  of  Eng- 
land, and  I  believe  (as  (he  has  often  told  me) 
Ihe  aimed  fincerely  therein  at  God's  glory, 
and  the  falvation  of  her  immortal  foul.  Af- 
ter we  were  joined  in  marriage,  ftie  con- 
tinued zealous  in  that  way;  but  when  a 
weighty  concern  came  upon  my  mind  for 
the  well-being  of  my  immortal  foul,  I  faw 
it  very  needful  for  me  to  make  a  narrow 
fearch  after  the  beft  way,  and  thole  people 
who  performed  that  worlhip  and  fervlce  that 
was  acceptable  before  God;  and  being  in  a 
weighty  frame  of  fpirit,  the  people  called 
Quakers  came  before  the  view  of  my  mind ; 
and  hearing  of  a  book  of  George  Fox  the 
younger's,  to  be  at  a  relation's  houfe,  I  was 
willing  to  go  thither  for  it,  and  in  the  read- 
thereof,  I  was  fo  well  fatisfied,  that  I 
truly  fay,  what  I  then  read,  anfwered 


ing 


can 


the  witnefs  of  God  in  my  own  bofom,  as 
Face  anfwereth  face  in  a  glafs."  But  foon 
after  I  came  home,  my  wife  perceiving  me 
to  be  more  ferious  and  weighty  in  my  fpirit 
than  formerly,  was  jealous  I  had  an  incUaa- 

F  4  *  tion 


N 


N 


I 


C    72    ) 

tion   towards   that  way  which   the   people 
called  Quakers  made  profeffion  of;  and  find- 
ing I  had  the  faid  book,  came  up  to  the 
chamber  where  I  was,  and  cautioned  me  not 
to  be  beguiled.    I  fpoke  to  her  in  fimplicity 
and  much  brokennefs  of  heart,  of  the  fenfe 
and  fatisfadion  I  had,  that  thofe  who  were 
faithful  to  that  divine  principle  which  the 
people  called  Quakers    bore    teftimony   to, 
were  the  people  God  owned,  or  to  that  im- 
port; and  it  reached  to  God's  witnefs  in  her, 
that  we  parted  in  much  tendcrnefs  at  that 
time.     However,    fhe   continued   fomewhat 
zealous  in  her  way  ftiH,  and  would  be  often 
arguing    with    me    in    vindication    there- 
of, much    about   twelve    months.     But  at 
one  time,   when  fhe  was  at  their  worfliip, 
the  Prieft  denounced  his  excommunication 
againft  me,  and  fhe  being  in  a  feat  juft  un- 
der him.  It  came  fo  near  her  that  fhe  was 
nigh  to  faint  awayj  when  their  worfliip  was 
over,  fhe  went  to  the  Prieft  and  fpoke  fome- 
what home  to  him,  and  that  fhe  thought  fhe 
deferved  more  civility,  at  leaft  fo  much  as  to 
know  aforehand  of  their  excommunication, 
tor  he  might  know  that  fhe  fincerely  loved 
her  hufband,  though  he  diffented  from  her 
in  judgment.     And  after  that  time,  flie  be- 
came more  willing  to  fearch  clofely  into  the 
weighty  work  of  the  falvation   of  her  im- 
mortal  foul  J  and  the  Lord's  love  was  ma- 
nifefled  to  her,  that  in  a  little  while  after, 
her  underflanding  came  to  be  opened,  and 
he  came  to   be  convinced  of  God's  evcr- 
Jaltjng  truth,  that  was  proniifed,  "  To  lead 

♦'  into 


1 


1 


(    73    ) 

'  into  all  truth.'*  And  having  tafted  of 
that  living  bread  v^hich  gives  life  to  the 
foul,  (he  came  withal  to  fee  there  was  no 
need  of  the  outward  bread,  which  formerly 
fhe  was  zealous  and  confcientious  in  the  ob- 
fervation  of,  to  commemorate  the  death  and 
paffion  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrili^  the  true 
remembrancer  being  come  and  witnefled, 
even  he  *'  Who  Itands  at  the  door  of  men's 

'  hearts  for  an  entrance,  that  he  may  come  to 

*  fup  with  them,  and  they  with  him." 

•  Soon  after  our  convincement,  the  enemy 
of  fouls  muftered  his  forces,  and  endeavoured 
to  ftifle  our  convidlions,  and  we  were  hard 
put  to  it  both  within  and  without  j  but  as 
our  eyes  were  to  the  Lord,  and  in  poverty 
and  humility  of  fpirit  we  leaned  upon  him, 
he  made  the  hard  things  eafy,  and  in  the 
fenfe  of  his  divine  love,  which  was  often  fhed 
abroad  in  our  hearts,  we  were  made  willing; 
to  deny  ourfelves,  to  take  up  the  crofs,  and 
to  defpife  the  ihame.  And  though  we  were 
but  a  tew,  we  thought  it  convenient  to  meet 
together  to  wait  upon  the  Lord,  being  fully 
fatisfied  it  was  a  duty  incumbent  upon  his 
people  in  all  ages ;  and  in  the  performance 
of  our  duty  herein  in  the  year  1675,  feveral 
friends  were  taken  from  our  houfe  at  two  fe- 
veral times,  and  brought  before  two  juftices 
of  the  peace,  who  tendered  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance and  fupremacy  to  them ;  and  becaufc, 
for  confcience  fake,  they  could  not  break 
the  command  of  Chrift,   who  faid,  **  Swear 

*  not  at  all,"  they  were  committed  to  prifon, 
where  they  remained  about  fourteen  weeks, 

*  and 


i 


fe 


i 


c 

i 
t 
f 


€ 

€ 
€ 

€ 

€ 

€ 

€ 
€ 
t 
t 


(    74    ) 
and  then  were  fet  at  liberty;  ever  fince  which, 
the   meeting   has    been  kept   either  at   our 
houfe,  or  at  the  meeting-houfe,  quietly,  with- 
out any  more  diiturbance. 
•  Sometime  before  the  year  1683,  we  heard 
that  our  efteemed  friend  William  Penn,  had 
a  patent  from  king  Charles  the  fecond,  for 
that  province  in  America,  called  Pennfylva- 
nia;  and  my  wife  had  a  great  inclination  to 
go  thither,  and  thought  it  might  be  a  good 
place  to  train  up  children  amongft  fober  peo- 
ple, and  to  prevent  the  corruption  of  them 
here,   by  the  loofe  behaviour  of  the  youth, 
and  the  bad  example  of  too  many  of  thofe  of 
riper  years;  flie  acquainted    me   therewith, 
but  I  then  thought  it  not  likely  to  takeeffed, 
for  feveral  reafons ;   but  as  I  was  fenfible  her 
aim  was  upright,  on  account  of  our  children, 
I  was  willing  to  weigh  the  matter  in  a  true 
balance;  and  I  can   truly  fay,  my  way  was 
made  eafy  and  clear  to  go  thither,  beyond  my 
expedation;  and    it   was    the   Lord's    great 
mercy  to  preferve  us  over  the  great  deep,  to 
our  defired  port.     And  what  hardfhips  we 
met  at  the  beginning  of  our  fettlement,  the 
Lord    was    our  helper   and    fupport    to   go 
through  :  and  I  can  in  a  fweet  remembrance 
fay,  many  were   the  blefled  feafons  we  had 
with  God's  people,  in  that  remote  country; 
and  I  believe,  and  am  well  fatisfied,  that  the 
Lord  has  a  remnant  there,  that  fincerely  aim 
at  his  glory,  and  the  profperity  of  his  truth; 
blefled   and  praifed    be   his   holy  name  for 
ever  ! 

*  We 


(  75  ) 
«  We  ftaid  there  many  years,  and  had  four  of 
our  children  married  with  our  confent,  and 
they  had  feveral  children,  and  the  aim  in- 
tended by  my  wife,  was  in  a  good  meafure 
anfwered. — When  a  weighty  concern  came 
upon  my  mind  to  return  to  my  native  coun- 
try, and  that  chiefly  on  truth's  account.  I 
laid  it  before  my  wife,  and  fhe  could  not  be 
eafy  to  fl:ay  behind  me,  and  we  came  over  in 
the  year  1704;  and  through  the  Lord's  great 
mercy  we  were  preferved  in  that  tedious 
voyage,  north  about  Scotland,  through  many 
difficulties ;  and  from  the  cruelties  alfo  of  the 
privateers,  of  which  there  were  many  then 
on  that  coafl:,  as  we  were  afterwards  inform- 
ed.— This  w^onderful  prefervation  deferves  to 
be  remembered  with  thankfgiving;  having 
lofl:  the  fleet,  we  were  only  four  fliips  com- 
ing together  from  Virginia,  and  one  of  them 
belonging  to  Brifl:ol ;  we  thought  to  remove 
to  that  fliip,  becaufe  Briftol  was  nearer  to  our 
habitation  in  Wales,  than  London,  whither 
our  veflel  was  bound;  we  agreed  with  the 
mafl:er  for  our  palfage,  and  next  morning  we 
were  to  go  on  board,  but  that  night  I  was 
under  a  weighty  exercife  about  our  removal, 
but  in  the  morning  it  happened  to  be  fo 
flormy,  that  he  could  not  take  us  in,  fo  he 
parted  from  us,  and  bore  his  courfe  towards 
Brifl:ol ;  then  the  weight  I  was  under  was 
removed,  and  I  was  very  eafy  in  my  fpirit ; 
and  as  I  was  afterward  informed,  that  fhip 
was  taken  near  to  Lundy-Ifland.  This  deli- 
verance therefore,  and  prefervation  of  us,  I 
afcribe  to  the  Lord's  great  favour  and  mercy 

^  towards 


1 


(    76     ) 

towards  us ;  thanks,  honour  and  pralfes  be 
rendered  and  afcribed  to  him  for  the  fame 
and  all  other  mercies  for  ever  ! 

*  In  this  voyage,  our  youngefl:  daughter, 
Barbara  Bevan,  accompanied  us,  and  (he  was 
of  good  ferviceon  truth's  account,  the  (liort 
time  fhe  remained  in  the  body ;  her  inno- 
cency  and  fweet  behaviour  preached  truth 
wherever  flie  came.  It  is  my  comfort  and 
great  fatisfadlion,  that  (lie  left  a  good  favour, 
and  has  finifhed  her  courfe  in  peace  with  her 
Maker,  and  is  gone  to  her  eternal  reft  in  the 
manfions  of  blifs  and  joy,  to  laud  and  mag- 
nify him  for  ever.* 

*  We  landed  at  laft  at  Shields,  in  Northum- 
berland, and  ftaid  over  the  meeting  on  firft 
day,  where  we  were  comforted  with  friends. 
Next  day  we  fet  forward  toward  our  habita- 
tion in  Wales,  having  near  three  hundred 
miles  to  travel.  We  had  feveral  good  meet- 
ings in  our  way,  and  about  the  beginning  of 
the  eighth  month,  1704,  we  came  to  our 
home  at  Treveyricke;  and  from  that  time 
forward,  my  dear  wife  was  given  up  as  be- 
fore, to  be  ferviceable  on  truth's  account, 
and  fo  continued  during  her  pilgrimage  here, 
being  f}x  years  and  upwards.  Her  houfe  and 
heart  fince  her  convincement,  were  open  to 
receive  the  Lord's  melTengers,  both  here  and 
in  America,  and  fhe  was  very  careful  and 
open-hearted  to  help  the  poor  and  weak,  both 
amongft  us  and  others.  In  her  laft  ficknefs, 
fhe  was  fenfible  /he  was  not  like  to  recover 

A  fhort  tcftimony   concerning  her,  worthy  of  perufal,  is 
prmted  in  the  5th  part  of  Piety  Promoted. 

'  out 


I 


,'i 


(    77    ) 

out  of  it,  and  (he  was  fatisfied  and  contented 
therein,  to  fubmit  to  the  Lord's  will ;  fpeak- 
ing  to  me,  fhe  faid,  *^  I  take  it  as  a  great 

*  mercy  that  I  am  to  go  before  thee ;  we  are 
^  upwards  of  forty-five  years  married,  and  our 

*  love  is  rather  more  now  towards  one  ano- 

*  ther,  than  at  the  beginning ;  yet  I  am  wiU 

*  ling  to  part  with  all,  for  the  Lord  is  better 

*  than  all.'*  *  She  quietly  departed  this  life 
the  26tA  of  the  eleventh  month,  171  o,  aged 
feventy-three  years  and  about  four  months ; 
and  though  my  lofs  thereby  is  great,  yet  it 
is  her  eternal  gain.' 
Our  well  efteemed  friend  having  left  us  this 

uft  account  of  his  convincement,  and  of  the 
reafons  of  his  removal  to,  and  return  from, 
Pennfylvania,  to  his  native  country  again ;  it 
remains  for  us  to  add,  that  by  their  teftimoni- 
als  from  Pennfylvania,  we  find  they  were  all 
three  of  good  fervice  there ;  the  old  friends  be- 
ing examples  of  meeknefs,  temperance,  and 
charity ;  and  having  lived  in  love  and  fellow- 
fliip  with  the  brethren  and  fifters  there,  were 
in  good  efteem  amongft  all;  and  the  young 
friend  being  of  an  innocent  and  good  life  and 
converfation,  was  well  beloved  amongft  them  ; 
and  further,  that  the  father  and  daughter  had 
received  a  gift  of  the  miniftry,  which  had  been 
to  the  comfort  and  edification  of  the  churches 
thereaway. — We  heard  he  vifited  New- Eng- 
land in  particular,  with  our  friend  Hugh 
Roberts,  about  the  year  1701. — Soon  after  he 
returned  from  Pennfylvania,  he  and  his  daugh- 
ter vifited  together  feverai  meetings  of  friends 
in  South  and  North  Wales,  and  were  eminently 

favoured 


I 


(    78    ) 

favoured  therein  with  the  divine  prefencef.— 
His  fufferings,  confidering  his  faithfulnefs,  and 
the  time  he  lived  in,  were  not  very  many ; 
his  relations,  at  times  diverting  the  ftrokes 
from  him ;  however,  after  a  long  profecution 
by  the  Vicar  of  the  parifh  for  his  pretended 
dues,  he  was  at  laft  confined  to  Cardiff  goal,  in 
1 72 1,  upon  an  excommunicato  capiendo  j  but 
there  being  fome  error  in  it,  he  was  difcharged 
the  following  feffions,  and  ever  after  left  un- 
molefted. 

He  was  endued  with  a  good  underftanding  in 
things  fpiritual  and  temporal ;  difcreet  and 
prudent  in  his  ways;  of  unfpotted  life  and 
converfation ;  grave  and  folid  in  his  deport^ 
ment,  and  careful  to  keep  concord  and  unity 
among  friends  ;  conrtant  and  unmoveable  a- 
gainft  that  which  would  divide  and  rend ;  yet 
labouring  to  reftore  thofe  that  were  beguiled 
thereby.  In  his  laft  ficknefs,  he  had  no  fmall 
conflid:,  but  he  was  favoured  with  much  pa- 
tience, and  pofTelled  his  foul  therein,  and  bore 
his  indifpofition  to  admiration. — At  one  time 
he  faid,  "  Ever  fince  I  had  the  knowledge  of 
**  the  truth,  I  have  endeavoured  to  be  inno- 
"  cent."  To  a  relation  on  afkinghim  how  he 
did,  he  anfwered,  "  Weakly,  but  I  find  fome 
*^  ftrength  to  bear  my  weaknefs." 


1 


ii 


(  79  ) 

A  T^ejilmony  fro7n  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Phi- 
ladelphia,   concerning  Han  n  ah  Car  p  e  n- 

TER. 

SH  E  was  born  at  Haverford-VVeft,  in  South 
Wales,   where  having  the  opportunity  of 
feeing  the  patient,   innocent  and  fteady  fuifcr- 
ings  of  friends  who  were  imprifoned  for  their 
religious   teftimony,   together  with  their  good 
converfation  in  Chrift,   flie  was  convinced  of 
the  bleifed  truth,  and  became   very  ferviceable 
to  thofe  who  were  in  bonds  there  for  Chrift's 
fake.     She  came  over  here  in  the  early  fettling 
of  this  province,  and  after  fome  time  was  mar- 
ried to  our  well  efteemed  friend,  Samuel  Car- 
penter, of  this  city.     She  received  a  ihare  of 
the  gofpel  miniftry,  which  was  feafoned  with  a 
lively  favour  of  divine  fweetnefs ;  and  though 
not  frequent  in  her  appearances,   v/as  very  ac- 
ceptable.    Her  heart  and  houfe  ftood  open  to 
receive  and  entertain  the  true  gofpel  minifters, 
to  whom   ibe  was    a   tender  nurfing  mother, 
both  in  ficknefs  and  in  health;  being  full  of 
warmth  and  love  to  faithful  friends;   a  bright 
example  of  meeknefs  in  the  church,  as  well  as 
in  her  own  family;  and  her  life  and  converfa- 
tion being  adorned  with  the  Chriftian  virtues  of 
benevolence  and  charity,  rendered  her  beloved, 
refpeded  and  ufeful  in  her  ftation. 

She  died  the  7\th  of  the  fifth  month,  1728, 
in  the  eighty-third  year  of  her  age. 


I 


A  Tejlimony 


rbe 


St 

-I 


(         80         ) 

"The  following  Epijik  to  parents,  concerning  the 
education  of  children^  manlfejilng  her  pious  re^ 
gardfor  the  youth,  and  her  anxiety  for  the  In^ 
creaje  arid  profperlty  of  the  church  of  Chrljl, 
is  thought  proper  to  be  here  annexed,  viz. 

•*  U  P  O  N  the  ^th  day  of  the  fourth  month, 
I  was  drawn  forth  to  wait  on  the  Lord,  and  as 
I  was  waiting,   the  confideration  of  my  dear 
children,  whom  the  Lord  had  taken  to  him- 
felf  in  their  innocency,   came  before  me,  and 
my  foul  blelTed  his  holy  name  for  his  ^reat 
love  towards  them  and   me,  in  that  they  are 
gone  to  their  relt,   and  fhall  never  partake  of 
thofe  exercifes  and  forrovvs  thefe  do  that  remain 
in  the  world.     And  then   my  foul  was  poured 
forth  before  the  Lorci  for  them  that  remain, 
that  as  they  grow  up  in  years,  they  may  ^row 
in  grace,  and  in   the  knowledge  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jefus  Chrift;  or  elfe  I  would  ra- 
ther  follow  them  to  their  graves   whilll  they 
are  young,   than  that  they  /hould  live  to  the 
difhonour  of  his  worthy  name.     And  then  a 
more  general  and  weighty  concern  came  upon 
me  for  friends  children  that  are  grown  up,  and 
do  not  come  under  the  yoke,  nor  bear  the  crofs. 
Oh !  the  cry  that  ran  through  my  foul,  and  in 
the  anguifli  and  bitternefs  of  my'fpirit,  I  faid. 
Lord,  'u:hat  iinll  thou  do  T^>y6  friends  children, 
when  li^e  are  gone  off  the  J} age  of  this  <ivorld\ 
ivlllthou  ralfe  up  children,  and  not  thofe  of  be^ 
llevlng  parents  f  And  this   was  the  word  that 
livingly  fprung  up  in  my  foul.     They  re^a  my 
counfel,  and  cajl  my  lazv  'behind  their  bach,  and 

ii;lll 


I 


(  81  ) 

ivili  have  none  of  my  reproofs ;  and  though  my 
hand  be  Jiretched  forth  all  the  day  long^  yet  they 
nvlll  not  hear,  but  go  after  their  own  hearts  lujl. 
Then  I  faid  in  my  heart.  Lord  are  they  allfo  ? 
The  anfwer  was.  There  are  fome  that  are  inno- 
cent, whom  I  will  blefs  with  a  blejjlng  from  rne^ 
and  they  (kail  fhine  forth  to  my  pral/e.     And 
now.    Oh  friends  !   that  you  may  dwell    and 
abide  in  the  innocent  life,  that  fo  the  bleffing 
of  the  Lord  you  may  feel  daily  to  defcend  upon 
you.     But  as  for  you  that    **  rejeft  the  coun- 
fel of  the   Lord,  and  caft  his  law  behind  your 
backs,  and  will  have  none  of  his  reproofs," 
which  are  forrowful   fayings  concerning  you, 
who  are  the  children  of  believing  parents  ;  you 
who  are  under   the  profeffion  of  the   truth, 
which  will  do  you  no  good,  unlefs  you  return 
unto  the  Lord;  therefore  I  defire  you  may  all 
return  unto  him,  whilft  the  day  of  a  long-fuf* 
fering  merciful  God  lafteth :   but  if  you  ftill 
rejed  the  counfel  of  the  Lord,  the  many  faith- 
ful warnings  you  have  had,  how  will  you  an- 
fwer it  in  the  day  when  he  cometh,   *'  To  ren- 
der unto  every  one  according  to  their  deeds  r" 
And  now,  fomething   further  is  with  me   to 
parents   of  children.     Dear  friends,  you  that 
have  been  convinced  of  God's  unchangeable 
truth,  and  have  known   the  work  and   opera- 
tion of  it,   working  out*  and  bringing  down 
that  which    was   of  a  contrary  nature   to  it. 
And  Oh  !  that  we  may  all  abide  faithful  in  his 
work,  and  retain  our   integrity  to  the  Lord; 
then  let  our  breathing  cries  and  pravers  be  of- 
fered up  to  the  Lord  for  our  children,  that  he 
would  be  pleafed  to  look  down  in  m^icy  upon 

G  them. 


11 

iff 


(  82  ) 

them,  and  vliit  them  as  he  did  our  fouls.  But 
as  David  faid,  **  If  I  regard  iniquity  in  my 
heart,  the  Lord  will  not  hear  me^"  fo  I  defirc 
we  may  all  be  clear  in  our  offerings  before  the 
Lord,  that  he  may  fmcU  a  fweet  favour  from 
them. 

Dear  friends,  what  is  here  written,  is  with 
great  caution,  knowing  that  I  have  children  of 
my  own,  and  that  many  honeft  parents  have  bad 
children,  which  is  no  fmall  exercife;  but  if  we 
keep  faithful  to  the  Lord,  and  difcharge  our 
duty  to  them  by  precept  and  example,  we  (hall 
be  clear  of  them  in  the  fight  of  God.  And 
therefore  friends,  faithfulnefs  is  the  word  that 
runs  through  me,  not  only  for  our  own  fouls, 
but  for  our  children's  alfo;  that  a  generation 
may  grow  up  to  his  praife  in  this  part  of  the 
world,  when  our  heads  are  laid  in  the  duft. 
Great  and  manifold  hath  the  love  and  mercy  of 
God  been  towards  us ;  the  confideration  of  it, 
many  times,  hath  deeply  afFedled  my  mind; 
and  it  was  he  by  the  fame  arm  of  power  that 
reached  unto  us,  and  brought  a  concern  upon 
us  in  our  own  native  land;  and  I  do  believe  that 
many  had  as  clear  a  call  to  leave  their  native 
country,  as  fome  of  old  had,  which  caufed 
many  days  and  nights  of  fore  travel  and  exercife 
before  the  Lord,  and  no  eafe  could  we  have, 
but  in  giving  up  life  and  all  unto  him,  faying, 
**  Lord,  do  what  thou  wilt  with  us,  only  let 
thy  prefence  preferve  us."  And  to  his  praife 
we  can  fay,  he  hath  been  with  us  fince  we 
came  to  this  country,  and  hath  preferved  us 
through  many  and  various  exercifes,  both  in- 
wardly and  outwardly.     And  now  that  which 

lies 


,1 


(  83  ) 

lies  on  our  parts,  I  defiremay  beconfidered  by 
us  all,   that  fo  fuitable   returns  may  be  made 
unto  the  Lord,   by   walking  in   humility  and 
godly  fear  before  him  ;  that  fo,  good  patterns 
we  may  be,  by  keeping  our  places,   ''  To  the 
praife  of  him  who  hath  called  us,*'  for  he  is 
worthy  for  evermore.      And  friends,  fomething 
more  is  with  me,  which  I  thought  to  omit,  but 
I  find  I  cannot  well  do  it,  that  is,  concerning 
our  children,   that   we  be  very  careful   while 
they  are  young,   that  we  fnffer   them  not   to 
wear  fuch  things  that  truth   allows  not;  and 
though    it  may    be   faid,   they    are    but  little 
things,  and  well  enough  for  children,  but  we 
find,  that  when  they  are  grown  up,  it  is  hard 
for  them  to  leave  off,    which  may   be,   if  they 
had  not  been  ufed  when  young,  would  not  have 
been  expefted   when  grown   up.     So   I   defire 
we  may  all  be  clear  in  ourfelves,   and  keep  our 
children  out   of  the   fafiiions  and  cuftoms  of 
this  world.     And  Oh  !   that   we   were  all   of 
one  heart  and  mind  in  thefe  and  other  things, 
then  would  the  work  of  the  Lord  go  on  eafily, 
which  is  the  fincere  deiire  of  your  friend, 

HANNAH  CARPENTER. 


A  Tejlimony  from  the  Tearly-Meeting  in  Viro-i- 
nia,  concerning  Robert  Jordan. 

TTE  was  fon  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  Jor- 
-■"^  dan,  of  Nancemond  county,  in  Virginia, 
born  the  ii/y^of  the  feven th  month,  1668,  and 

G  2  varefully 


i 


IH  h 


(    84    ) 

carefully  educated  in  the  way  of  truth  by  his 
worthy  parents,  who  lived  to  fee  the  religion 
of  his  education  become  that  of  his  choice  and 
prad:ice  in  his  mature  years,  in  which  he  was 
prefervcd  to  the  lalt,  without  wavering,  in  great 
peace  with  the  Lord,  and  unity  of  his  bre- 
thren. 

He  was  an  hofpitable  man,  very  ready  to  en- 
tertain ftrangers,  efpecially  the  Lord's  meflen- 
gers,  whom  he  treated  with  great  refpedt  and 
affedion,  honouring  them  for  their  work's 
fake ;  being  alfo  charitable  to  the  poor,  and  as 
a  man  of  trade  and  commerce,  obtained  a  good 
reputation,  having  declared  he  had  never 
wronged  any  man  knowingly  in  all  his  life. 

In  the  time  of  his  illnefs,  which  continued 
about  two  weeks,  he  feemed  very  patient  and 
jefigncd  to  the  will  of  God,  and  much  con- 
cerned for  the  everlafting  welfare  of  his  child- 
ren, which  he  exprelied  in  a  lively  manner ; 
and  often  in  fervent  prayer,  defired  they  might 
be  preferved  from  the  vanities  and  corruptions 
of  this  world,  and  that  they  might  love  and 
fear  the  Lord  in  their  youth,  faying  at  one 
time,  ''  O  Lord,  preferve  my  flock,  let  them 
never  go  aftray,  nor  forget  thee  nor  one  ano- 
ther:  O  my  God  !  hold  them  in  thy  arms,  that 
none  of  them  be  loft,  let  not  the  enemy  prevail 
over  them  :"  being  humbly  thankful  and  blef- 
fed  God,  that  he  had  been  pleafed  to  fupport 
him  through  every  difpenlation  of  his  provi- 
dence to  that  time.  He  died  the  3^  of  the 
eighth  month,  1728;  and  on  the  ()tb  of  the 
.lame  month,  after  a  large  meeting  held  on  the 

occafion^ 


f  85  ) 

occafion,  was  Interred  in  the  family  burying- 
ground. 


A  Tejimony  frmn  Gwynedd  Monthly-Meeting^ 
tn  Penniylvania,  concerning  Rowland 
Ellis. 

/^UR  ancient  and  efteemed  friend  Rowland 
^^  Ellis,  was  born  in  the  year  1650,  in  Me- 
rionethlhire.  North  Wales,  convinced  of  the 
truth  about  the  t wen ty-fecond  year  of  his  age, 
fuffered  feveral  years   imprifonment  with  con- 
ftancy,  on  account  of  his  teftimony;  it  being 
then  a  time  of  fore  perfecution  :   the  two  judges 
who  committed  him,  with  many  others,  for  re- 
futing to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  and  fupre- 
macy,  declared  openly  at   the  aflizes,  *'  That 
in  cafe  they  refufed  a  fecond  time  to  take  it, 
they  fhould  be  proceeded  againll:  as  traitors,  the 
men  hanged  and  quartered,  and  the    women 
burned."     In  1686  he  came  over  into  Penn- 
fylvania  ,  to  prepare  for  a  fettlement  for  his 
wife  and  family,   with  whom  he  returned  ia 
1697.     He  was  endued  with  a  gift  in  the  mi- 
niftry,  and  though  not  very  frequent  In  appear- 
ance therein,  his  fervice  was  acceptable,  and 
to  edification,   being  of  found  judgment,  ready 
and  willing  to  affift  his  neighbours  and  friends, 
in  all  cafes,  civil  or  religious,   when   defired. 
He  was  zealous  for  fupporting  our  Chriftian 
difcipline,  and  exemplary  in  conducing  him- 
felf    agreeable    therewith,    fometimes    faying,^ 
'*  If  the  hedge  of  difcipline  was  not  kept  up, 

G  3  the 


(    86    ) 

the  labour  of  the  hufbandman  would  foon  be 
laid  wafte.*'     He  was  careful  in  educating  his 
children  religioufly,  by  timely  endeavouring  to 
inculcate  in  them  the  principles  of  piety  and 
virtue :  a  practice  of  his  tending  thereto,  was, 
having   meetings    frequently    in    his    family, 
which  he  long  continued.     In  the  laft  month- 
ly-meeting he  attended,  he  was  taken  unwell, 
but  afterwards  faid  to  divers  friends  prefent, 
**  I  am  glad  I  was  here  to  day,  for  I  had  a 
lively  meeting ;  and  though  I  now  feel  much 
weaknefs,  and  the  infirmities  attending  my  ad- 
vanced age,  yet  I  can  fay,  truth  is  as  dear  and 
as  fweet  as  ever."     He  alfo  faid,   **  Satan  fome- 
*'  times  lies  in  wait  like  a  roaring  lion  to  de- 
"  vour  me,  but  I  find  he  is  chained  by  a  fecret 
*'  hand,  which   limits   his  power,   fo  that  he 
*f  cannot  harm  me."     His  indifpofition  con- 
tinued a  few  days,  which  he  bore  with  Chrif- 
tian  patience,    expreffing    *^  his   fenfe  of  his 
near  arrival  at  the  haven  of  reft  and  quiet,  where 
none  could  make  him  afraid."     He  expired  at 
the  houfe  of  his  fon-in-law,  John  Evans,  in  the 
eightieth  year  of  his  age,   and  was  interred  in 
friends    burying   ground    at     Plymouth,     (to 
which  particular  meeting  he  belonged)  in   the 
feventh  month,  1729.     Concerning  whom  we 
truft  it  may  be  faid,   He  re/is,   e?ijoying  the  ;v-. 
limrd  of  the  righteous y  and  his  ^.vorks  dojollo'iv. 


A  Tejiimony 


(  87  ) 


A  Tejiimony  from  Newark  Monthly-Meeting  in 
Newcaftle  county,  on  Delaware,  concerning 
MosEs  Mendenhall. 


H 


E  was  born  at  Concord,  in  Chefter  coun- 
ty, Pennfylvania,  about   1693,   being  the 
fon  of  Benjamin  Mendenhall,  an  early  fettler  in 
that  place;  in  his  youth  he  was  religioufly  in- 
clined,  loving  the  converfation  of  fuch,  and 
choofing   places    of  retirement    to  wait  upon 
God.     He  married  about  the  year    17 19,  and 
foon  after  fettled  at  Kennet,   where  he  conti- 
nued his  habitation  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
As  he  grew  in  years  he  grew  in  religious  expe- 
rience, and  in  1724,  appeared  in  the  miniftry ; 
firft^  in  a  few  words,   but  continuing  faithful, 
he  increafed  in  his  gift,  and  in  time  had  a  fea- 
fonable  refrefhing  teftimony,  which  often  af- 
fected the  minds   of  the  hearers.     He  vifited 
the  meetings  in  Maryland,    New-Jerfey,  and 
fometimes  thofe  near  home ;  being  alfo  rightly 
gifted  for  the  difciplinc,  and  ferviccable  there- 
in.     He  had  a  clear   difcerning  of  a  fpirit  of 
undue  liberty  that  feemed  at  one  time  to  pre- 
vail, which  afterwards  manifefted  itfelf  to  the 
cxercife  of  the  faithful. 

Being  fenhble  in  his  laft  ficknefs,  that  his 
end  was  near,  he  fignified  *'  He  was  thankful 
to  the  Lord,  that  he  was  like  to  be  taken  from 
the  troubles  of  this  world;"  exhorting  friends 
to  faithfulnefs ;  and  died  in  a  refigned  frame, 
in  the  ninth  month,  1731,  aged  about  thirty- 
eight,  and  a  minifter  about  7  years,  and  was 
interred  in  Kennet  burying-ground. 

G  4  A  Tejiimony 


\ 


if' 


(    83    ) 

A 'Tejlitmny  frm  Duck-Creek  Moiubly^Meet^ 
ing  in  Kent  county^  on  Delaware,  concerning 
Joseph  Booth, 

TTE  was  born  at  or  near  Scituate,  in  Ncw^ 
*-*•  England,  and  educated  in  the  religion  of 
the  independents;  leaving  his  native  country 
when  a  young  man,  he  came  and  fettled  early 
on  Mufpillion,  in  SuiTex  county,  upon  Dela- 
ware,  where  he  filled  the  ftation  of  a  magi- 
ftrate  many  years,  and  was  alfo  chofen  a  mem- 
ber of  the  houfe  of  alTembly,  difcharging  the 
feveral  trufts  repofed  in  him  with  reputation. , 
In  the  year  1699,   he  was  convinced  by  the 
miniftry  of  Thomas  Story,  who  left  this  tefti- 
mony  refpedting  him,   **  That  he  was  the  moft 
fober  and  knowing  perfon  in  thofe  parts."     As 
he  gave  up  faithfully   to  the  manifeftation  of 
truth,  it  fo  operated  upon  him,  as  to  bring  the 
creaturely  part  into  fubjedlion,   though  much 
m  the  way  of  the  crofs,  and  the  more  fo,    by 
reafon  of  the  ftation  and  charadler  he  fupportcd 
in  the  world;   but  through  continual  obedi- 
ence,  he  witneifed  love  fo  to  pevail  in   his 
heart,  as  to  conftrain  him,    livingly  to  declare 
to  others,    what   the  Lord  had  done  for  him. 
Being     rightly    called    and    anointed    for    the 
work,  his  appearances  were  folemn  and  awful, 
miniftring  in  the  power  of  truth.     He  was  a 
nurfmg  father  in  the  church;  conftant  in  at- 
tending religious  meetings,   and  exemplary  in 
humbly  waiting  therein  ;  having  likcwife  been 
inllrumental  m  fettling  the  meeting  at  Mur- 
therkiln,  where  he  belonged,   as  alfo  that  at 

Cold. 


(     89     ) 

Cold-Spring;  and  before  any  meeting  was  held 
at  the  latter,  he  frequently  vifited  the  few 
families  of  friends  adjacent  thereto,  and  was  in 
general  good  efteem  amongft  men.  He  died 
about  the  year  1732. 


A  Tefiimony  from  Wrights-Town  Monthly^ 
Meeting  tn  Bucks  county^  Pennfylvania,  con^ 
cerning  Ann  Parson. 

C  H  E  appeared  in  the  miniftry  in  her  youth- 
V  ful  days,  and  continuing  faithful,  {he  tra- 
velled, on  that  account,  feveral  times  through 
New  -  England,  the  Jerfeys,  Pennfylvania, 
Maryland,  and  Virginia,  in  America,  and 
through  England,  Ireland,  Scotland,  and 
Wales,  in  Europe;  her  miniftry  being  fa- 
voury  and  to  edification.  She  was  a  good  ex- 
ample, of  an  inoffenfive  life,  patient  in  afflic- 
tion, and  died  in  good  unity  with  the  church. 
In  her  laft  illnefs,  (he  laid  to  her  brother 
Abraham  Chapman,  '*  I  have  travelled  a  pretty 
**  deal  in  my.  time,  and,  according  to  my  abi- 
*'  lity,  have  laboured  in  the  love  of  God  (in 
"  the  fervice  of  truth,  and  good-will  to  all 
**  men),  which  fprings  in  my  bofom  now  as 
*'  frefli  as  ever ;  blefled  be  his  name.  And  I 
**  defire  thee  (if  I  go)  by  a  few  lines,  to  re- 
'*  member  my  kind  love  to  friends,  defiring 
**  they  may  ftand  in  the  counfel  of  God;  for 
**  I  have  often  rejoiced  and  been  glad,  to  fee 
**  friends  ftand  in  his  counfel,  and  keep  their 
**  places  in   the  truth;  and  on  the  contrary, 

"  it 


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(  90  ) 

It  has  often  wounded  my  fpirit,  to  fee  thofe 
that  have  made  a  profcffion  of  the  truth 
(and  fome  of  them  childien  of  good  pa- 
rents), take  undue  liberty,  taking  pleafure 
in    vanity   and   folly,    and    negleftin;?    that 
vi^hich  would  be  to  their  everlafling  p  ice. 
It  is  my  advice  to  friends,  thii  rhey  It  id 
in  the  counfel  of  God,    which  wA\  be  .o 
them  as  a  mighty  rock  in  a  weary  land,  and 
enable  them  to  wade  through  the  various 
exercifes  and    troubles  which  may  fall   to 
their  fhare  to  meet  with  in  this  troublefome 
world.     I  have  found  it  by  experience  to 
be  a  fure  help  in  every  needful  and  difficult 
time,    when  exercifes    feemed  to    furround 
me  on  every  hand  like  the  billows  of  the 
main,  then  I  found,  to  ftand  in  the  coun- 
fel of  God,   was  the  only  place  of  refuge 
that  I   could  retire   unto,    where    I    found 
fafety,   and   was  often  refreftied,  ftrength- 
ened    and  comforted    by   the   influence    of 
the    love    of   God    in    me;    and  I  would 
counfel    and  advife,    that  all  friends    keep 
clofe  to  meetings,  and  patiently  wait  to  feel 
their  ftrength  renewed  in  God,     And  as  it 
has  been  the  defire  and  labour  of  my  fpirit, 
that  friends   fhould  keep  up  their  meetino-s 
in  good  order,  and  in  the  wifdom  of  truth; 
fo  I  recommend  it  as  my  advice  and  coun- 
fel to  friends,  to  be  careful  to  keep  to  meet- 
ings, and   patiently  wait   to  feel  the  over- 
Ihadowing  power  of  truth,   to  flrengthen 
and  renew  their  hope  in  God,  which  brings 
down   and    abafes   every  thing  that   wouTd 
exalt  itfclf  above  the  peaceable  government 

''  of 


i 


I 


(     91     ) 

*^  of  truth/'  After  having  lain  fome  time  in 
great  ftillnefs,  fhe,  in  fervent  prayer,  befought 
the  Lord,  ''  To  carry  on  the  work  he  had  be- 
*^  gun,  fo  that  many  might  flock  unto  the 
**  church,  as  doves  unto  the  windows;  and  lin 
**  and  iniquity  might  ceafe,  and  righteoufnefs 
**  and  truth  cover  the  earth,  as  the  waters  cover 
the  fea;"  fervently  befeeching  the  Lord, 
'  To  blefs  his  people  and  her  near  relations, 
*  and  that  her  companion  might  be  favoured 
**  with  the  vifitation  of  divine  love,  and  know 
''  his  lafl:  days  to  be  his  befl:  days;  and  that  he 
''  might  find  admittance  into  refl:  and  peace, 
*'  when  time  to  him  in  this  life  fliould  be  no 
*'  more,"  with  many  more  of  the  like  expref- 
fions,  at  fundry  times  during  her  illnefs. 

She  died  the  gtA  of  the  tenth  month  1732, 
in  the  fifty-feventh  year  of  her  age,  having 
been  a  minift:er  33  years. 


44 


« 


j4  "Tejltmojiy  from  Nottingham  Monthly-Meet^ 
ing  in    Pennfylvania,  concerning  Joseph 

El  GAR, 

TJE  was  born  (as  we  are  informed)  at  Folk- 
•*--■•  ftone  in  Kent,  Old  England,  the  30//6  of 
the  fourth  month  1690,  of  believing  parents; 
and  came  into  America  about  the  year  1720, 
living  fome  time  near  Philadelphia,  and  in 
1728,  removed  within  the  limits  of  Eaft  Not- 
tingham particular  meeting.  After  his  coming 
to  this  country,  he  was  called  to  the  work  of  the 
miniftry,  wherein  he  was  not  forward,  yet  his 

appear- 


r  92  ) 

appearances  being  lively  and  edifying,  friends 
had  near  unity  therewith.     A  good  example 
in    attending    meetings,    a   faithful    labourer 
therein,  and   careful  in  keeping  to  the  hour 
appointed.     He  was   induftrious   in    outward 
affairs,   though  cheerfully  given  up  to  anfwer 
the  requirings  of  truth  ;  vifiting  the  meetings 
of  friends  in  Pennfylvania,  as  alfo  in  Ncw- 
Jerfey  and  Maryland  generally.    He  was  gifted 
in  difcipline,    and  likewife  qualified  for   the 
fervice  of  vifiting  families,    wherein  he   was 
engaged    the  laft    time   he  was   abfent    from 
home,   within  the  limits   of  Bufh-River  and 
Deer-Creek  particular  meetings;    and  in   his 
return  from  whence,  he  told  a  friend,  "  There 
'  was  an  unufual  weight  over  his  fpirit,  and 
a  cloud  that  he  could  not  fee  beyond,  which 
made  him  think  his  day's  work  was  nearly 
over."     The  night  he  returned  home,  he 
was  affea:ed   with    ficknefs   and   much   pain, 
which    continued    feveral    days,     bearing    the 
iame    with    exemplary   patience.     After^vards 
growing  weaker,   but  remaining   fenfible,  he 
often  expreffed,    ''    He   had   done   with    the 
world,  and  was  willing  to  leave  it,  for  he 
had  been  faithful  to  what  was  made  known 
to  him,  fince  he  gave  up  to  the  requirings 
of  truth.''  ^  r  H         S 

Continuing  In  a  fweet  compofure  of  mind, 
he  departed  on  the  igtb  of  the  eleventh  month 
1733-4*  i^  the  forty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  a 
miniller  about  12  years»  His  remains  were 
interred  in  friends  burying-ground  at  Eaft- 
Nottingham;  on  which  folemn  occafion,  our 
friend  Mungo  Bewley  of  Ireland,  who  was 

thea 


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w  ^espB*^fi.rf*,?B8B3f5^5ft7-9!aS-*-i 


(    93     ) 

hen  on  a  religious  vifit  in  America,  exerclfed 
'iis  gift  to  the  comfort  of  many  friends. 


-^  "Tejlimony  from  the  yearly-^Meeting  of  Friends 
in  Virginia,  concerniiig  Joseph  Jordan. 

TIE  was  born  in  Nancemond  county  in  Vir- 
^^  ginia,   in  the  year  1695,  being  the  third 
fon  of  Robert  Jordan,  as   well  as  one  of  the 
third  generation  who  have  walked  in  the  truth. 
He  was  was  of  a  fprightly  genius,  affable  dlf^ 
pofition,  and  even  temper,  which,  as  he  grew 
to  manhood,  gave  him  eafy  accefs  to  company, 
efteemed  the  better  fort.     A  vifitation  of  di- 
vine love   being  extended   to  him  about   the 
twenty.fecond  year  of  his  age,  he  like  Zac- 
cheus,    made  hafte,  and  with  joy  embraced, 
both  the  meffage  and  meffenger  of  falvation  : 
And  being  endued  with  a  gift  in  the  miniftry* 
acquitted  himfelf  **  As  a  workman  that  need 
**  not  be  afliamed,''  and  had  great  place  in  the 
minds  of  men.     Although  he  had  not  much 
fchool  literature,  yet  he  might  be  faid  to  have 
had  the  tongue  of  the  learned,  being  both  cor- 
real and  concife  in  fpeaking  the  word  in  fea- 
fon,   infomuch  that  divers  have  confeffed   to 
the  truth,  and  embraced  the  dodlrine  he  preach- 
ed.    Being  patient  in  tribulation,  he  was  fa- 
voured with  that  hope  which  affords  content 
and  folace  of  mind.     After  labouring  in  the 
gofpel   in  his  own   country  and  the  adjacent 
provinces,  he  vifited  moft  parts  of  England, 
Ireland,  and  divers  parts  of  Holland;   being 

abfent 


(     94    ) 

abfent  on  this  fervice  above  three  years,  he  re- 
turned with  peace,  and  found  his  prefence  ne^- 
ceffary  at  home;  for  his  father  being  deceafed, 
and  his  brother  Robert  then  abfent,  the  care  of 
the  family  devolved  upon  him,  which  truft  he 
difcharged  with  judgment,  being  a  good  oeco- 
nomift,  kind  neighbour,  and  fteady  friend. 

He  often  intimated  that  he  fhould  not  con- 
tinue long,  and  was  therefore  concerned  to  ufe 
diligence.  Not  long  before  his  deceafe,  he 
vifited  friends  in  Virginia  and  North-Carolina, 
edifying  them  with  his  gift;  and  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  month  in  which  he  died  (though 
very  weak  in  body)  attended  their  quarterly- 
meeting,  fignifying  at  his  return,  his  great 
fatisfadtion  therein,  believing  it  would  be  the 
laft  meeting  of  the  kind  he  fliould  ever  be  at, 
and  accordingly  he  never  afterwards  went  from 
home,  except  to  a  week-day  meeting  in  the 
neighbourhood. 

On  the  morning  of  the  day  of  his  diflblu- 
tion,  he  uttered  many  favoury  expreffions,  fay- 
ing to  fome  young  minifters,  **  Mind  your 
**  gifts,  and  the  Lord  will  blefs  you,  and  you 
**  will  be  a  blefling  to  the  church.  Be  humble 
**  and  obedient;  obedience  brings  fweet  peace, 
**  I  have  a  great  defire  there  might  be  a  right 
*^  miniftry  continued  in  the  church,  for  there 
**  are  many  not  ftriftly  of  this  fold,  who  in 
*'  due  time  the  Lord  will  bring  in :  and  as 
**  you  come  to  have  an  experience  of  the  work 
**  of  truth  in  your  own  hearts,  you  will  be 
**  able  to  confute  them  who  perfuade  them- 
**  felves  there  is  no  living  without  fin  in  this 
**  world.     I  am  not  in  a  condition  to  fpeak 

**   much 


(    95    ) 

•'  much,  neither  is  it,  I  hope,  very  needful; 
•'  as  you  are  thus  taught  of  the  Lord,  you  will 
"  have  caufe  to  rejoice  in  him  on  whom  you 
**  have  believed." 

Thus  having  happily  completed  his  day's 
vyork,  he  laid  down  his  head  in  much  refigna- 
tion  and  peace  with  the  Lord,  the  2.bth  of  the 
ninth  month  1735,  aged  forty  years,  a  mini- 
iter  about  17. 


A  Teftimony  fro7n  the  Monthly-Meemg  o/Vhi^ 
ladelphia,  concerning  Richard  Town- 
send. 

TTE  was  a  meek  and  humble  man,  fincerely 
^  concerned  for  the  promotion  of  piety  and 
virtue ;  his  miniflry  being  found,  living,  and 
tending  to  edification,  was  well  accepted.  He 
vifited  friends  in  the  fervice  of  truth  in  Great 
Britain,  continued  faithful  to  the  end  of  his 
days,  and  departed  this  life  about  the  30/^6  of 
the  third  month  1737. 


A  Tejlimojiy  from  Newark  Monthly -Meeting  in 
Newcaftle  county  on  Delaware,  concerning 
Christopher  Wilson. 

TTE  was  born  in  YorkHiire,  Old  England,  of 

parents  who  were  members  of  the  church 

of  England.     In  his  youth  he  Vv^as  inclined  to 

vanity,  but  his   mind  being  reached  through 

the 


^^^j^g^^^^j^^^^^ 


'I 


(  96  ) 

the  vifitation  of  divine  grace,  when  he  grew 
up,  he  joined  in  fellowfliip  with  friends;  and 
came  to  America  in  171 2,  being  well  recom- 
mended by  certificate,  though  then  a  fervant. 
About  1728  he  appeared  in  the  miniftry,  firfl: 
in  a  few  words,  but  growing  therein,  his  ap- 
pearances were  feafonable  and  favoury,  and 
attended  with  a  degree  of  that  life  that  *'  makes 
glad  the  heritage  of  God;"  being  likewifc  fer- 
viceable  in  the  difcipline  of  the  church  accord- 
ing to  ability. 

He  began  the  world  with  little,  but  being 
induftrious  in  the  creation,  and  concerned  for 
truth's  profperity,  the  Lord  blefTed  his  labours, 
fo  that  he  lived  comfortably,  and  maintained 
his  family  reputably,  fupporting  the  charafter 
of  an  honefl  peaceable  man,  and  was  often 
inftrumental  in  reftoring  peace  amongft  others. 
In  his  laft  ficknefs,  being  alked  by  a  friend 
**  How  it  was  with  him  ?"  he  anfwered,  **  If 
the  mefTenger  of  death  comes,  I  fee  nothing  in 
my  way."  Keeping  moftly  ftill  and  quiet,  he, 
in  a  religned  compofed  frame  of  mind,  finifhed 
his  courfe  the  nth  of  the  feventh  month, 
J  740,  in  the  fiftieth  year  of  his  age,  a  minify 
ter  about  twelve  years,  and  was  interred  in 
Center  burying-ground. 


I 


A  Tejiimony  from  the  Monthly  Meeting  ^Phila- 
delphia, concerning  Thomas  Chalkley. 

TTE  was  a  member  of  our  monthly  meeting 
•*^  above  forty  years,  fo  that  fome  of  us  had 

opportunities 


(  97  ) 

opportunities  of  being  Intimately  acquainted 
with  him,  and  of  knowing  his  fidelity  and 
dihgence  in  promoting  the  caufe  of  truth,  and 
the  edification  of  the  church  of  Chriftj  this 
having  been  the  principal  engagement'  and 
concern  of  his  mind,  and  which  he  preferred 
to  any  other  confideration,  as  will  evidently 
appear  to  thofe,  who,  with  an  honeft  and  un- 
prejudiced intention,  perufe  his  Journal  of  his 
Life  and  Travels. 

By  which  it  will  appear,  that  he  was.  In  the 
early  part  of  his  life,  fenfibly  afl^eded  with  the 

^ju'^*'°"   °^  '^'^^"^  ^'^^  ^"'^  Z^^^^>    and,    by 
adhering  thereunto,    was  preferved  from  the 

vanities  and  follies,    which  often  divert  and 
alienate  the  minds  of  youth  from  the  due  re- 
membrance and  awful  regard  of  their  Creator  • 
lo  that  he  was  enabled  to  bear  a  teftimony  of 
Chriftian  patience  and  felf-denial  in  his  youth- 
ful days,  and,  by  keeping  under  that  exercife 
as  he  advanced  in  years,   attained  to  further 
knowledge  and  experience  in  the  work  of  reli- 
gion ;  in  which  he  had  a  fight  of  the  neceffity 
of    keeping  in  a  ftate  of  humility,    and   of 
bearing  the  crofs  of  Chrift,  which  mortified 
ium   to   the  world:    fo   that   the   lofs    many 
fuftain  by  the  anxious  purfuit  of  the  lawful 
things  thereof  appearing  to  him,  he  was  con- 
cerned to  avoid  it,  and  in   obedience  to  the 
precept  of  Chrift,  to  feek  Jirjl  the  kingdom  of 
i^od,  and  hu  righteoufnefs,  having  faith  in  his 
promife,    that  all  tbeje  things    (neceffary  for 
h\m)  JJ:ould  be  added.  ' 

Thus  the  love  of  God  influencing  his  mind 
and  opening   his    underftanding,    he   became 

H  concerned 


(    98    ) 

concerned  for  the  general  good  of  mankind, 
and  received  a  gift  of  the  miniftry  of  the 
gofpel  of  Chriil,  before  he  had  attained  the 
age  of  twenty-one  years ;  in  the  publick  exer- 
cife  of  which  he  foon  after  travelled  through 
many  parts  of  England,  and  into  Scotland, 
and  the  next  year,  being  1697,  he  came  ta 
vifit  friends  in  this  and  the  adjacent  provinces 
of  America,  where  his  miniftry  and  converfa- 
tion  were  to  the  comfort  and  edification  of  the 
faithful,  (as  fome  of  us  can  with  fatisfadlion 
declare,  from  our  knowledge  and  remembrance 
of  him  at  that  time)  and  the  near  fellow- 
ihip  and  union  he  then  had  with  friends  here 
(we  believe)  contributed  to  his  more  fpeedy 
determination  of  fettling  among  us  ;  which  he 
afterwards  thought  it  his  duty  to  do,  though 
the  leaving  his  parents  and  relations  (as  he 
afterwards  exprefl'ed)  v/as  no  fmall  crofs  to  him, 
being  of  a  dutiful  and  aftedionate  difpofition. 

After  fixing  his  refidence  among  us,  he  per- 
fevered  in  his  concern  and  labour  for  the  edifi- 
cation of  the  churches,  and  gathering  people 
to  faith  and  dependance  on  the  inward  teach- 
ings of  Chrift,  and  for  that  purpofe  only  he 
travelled  many  long  journies  and  voyages 
through  the  feveral  Englifh  colonies  on  this 
continent,  and  moft  of  the  iflands  in  the  Weft 
Indies,  and  in  Europe,  through  England, 
Wales,  Scotland,  Ireland,  Holland,  Frizeland, 
and  feveral  parts  of  Germany,  and  the  adjacent 
northern  kingdoms.  And  in  many  of  thefe 
places  his  miniftry  and  religious  labours  were 
blelTed  with  the  defired  fuccefs,  of  which  there 
are  yet  fome  witnelTes  living,  and  others,  who 


were 


(  99  ) 

were,  convinced  of  the  principles  of*  truth 
by  his  means,  became  ferviceable  members  of 
the  church,  and  continued  therein  to  the  end 
or  their  lives. 

But  as  the  wife  king  Solomon  formerly  ob- 
lerved,  that  one  event  cometh  to  the  righteous, 
and  to  the  wkked,  fo  it  happened  to  this  good 
man,  who  met  with  various  loffes  and  difapa 
pointments  in  his  temporal  cftate,  after  which, 
the  circumftances  of  his  affairs  engaged  him  to 
undertake  fome  bufinefs,  in  the  management  of 
which  he  was  obliged  to  crofs  the  feas  frequent- 
ly.     1  his,  however,  did  not  abate  his  zeal  and 
religious  care  to  make  ufe  of  all  opportunities 
of  vifiting  the  meetings  of  friends  when  among 
them,  and  of  calling,  at  other  times,   to  fuch 
Who  might  be  accounted  as  the  outcaft  of  Ifrael, 

Th    fu  1^'/''^  "^  y"'^^^'  "''  ^'MP  not  yet  of 
the  fold  of  Cbriji,  and  his  fervices  of  that  kind 
are  worthy  to  be  commemorated,  having  been 
often  productive  of  good  effcds. 

His  patience  was  remarkable  in  difappoint- 
ments  and  afflidlions.  of  which  he  had  a  large 
Ihare  J  and  his  meeknefs,  humility,  and  circum- 
ipedtion,  m  the  general  courfe  of  his  life  and 
converfation,  were  confpicuous  and  exemplary. 
And  as  he  frequently  exhorted  and  admonifhed 
others  to  the  obfervation  and  praftice  of  the 
many  excellent  precepts  and  rules  of  Chrifl, 
our  Lord  and  lawgiver,  and  more  efpecially 
thofe  expreffed  in  his  fermon  on  the  mount, 
(Which  contains   the  fum  of  our  moral  and 
reJigious  duties)  fo  he  manifefted  himfelf  to  be 
one  ot  that  number,  whom  Chrift  compared 
to  the  wife  builder,  who  laid  a  fure  foundati- 

H  2  on; 


m 


I 


(     too     ) 

on ;  fo  that  his  building  flood  unfhaken  by  the 
various  floods  and  winds  of  tribulations  and 
temptations  he  met  with,  both  from  within 
and  without. 

He  was  a  lover  of  unity  amongft  brethren, 
and  careful  to  promote  and  maintain  it,  (hew- 
•ing  the  example  of  a  meek,  courteous,  and 
loving  deportment,  not  only  to  friends,  but  to 
all  others,  with  whom  he  had  converfation  or 
dealings ;  fo  that  it  may  be  truly  faid,  thatye"Z£^ 
have  lived  fo  univerjhlly  beloved  and  refpe^ed 
among  us:  and  it  was  manifeft  this  did  not 
proceed  from  a  defire  of  being  popular,  or  to 
be  feen  of  man ;  for  his  love  and  regard  to 
peace  did  not  divert  him  from  the  difcharge  of 
his  duty  in  a  faithful  teftimony  to  thofe  that 
profeffed  the  truth,  that  they  ought  to  be 
careful  to  maintain  good  works.  And  he  was 
often  concerned  zealoufly  to  incite  and  prefs 
friends  to  the  exercife  of  the  good  order  and 
difcipline  eftabliflied  in  the  wifdom  of  truth, 
by  admoniiliing,  warning,  and  timely  treating 
with  fuch  as  fell  fhort  of  their  duty  therein, 
and  by  teftifying  againft  thofe  who,  after  lov- 
ing and  brotherly  care  and  endeavours,  could 
not  be  brought  to  the  fenfe  and  practice  of  their 
duty  I  and  thereby  he  fometimes  fhared  the  ill- 
will  and  refentment  of  fuch  perfons. 

The  feveral  Effays  he  wrote  on  religious  fub- 
jefts  at  fea,  are  further  proofs  that  his  mind 
was  principally  engaged  in  the  great  bufmefs 
and  concern  of  religion ;  and  as  he  continued 
under  the  fame  engagement  to  the  end,  we  are 
fully  perfuaded  the  words  with  which  he  con- 
cluded his  lall  publick  teftimony  on  the  ifland 

of 


(     loi     ) 

of  Tortola,  may  be  truly  and  properly  applied 
to  him,  that  he  had  fought  a  good  fight,  and  had 
kept  the  faith,  and,  we  doubt  not,  he  now  en- 
joys a  crown  of  righteoufnefs. 

Much  more  might  be  truly  faid  of  his  inte- 
grity,  faithfulnefs,  and  worth,  but  we  do  not 
think  it  neceffary ;  our  chief  intention  beino^  to 
exprefs  our  refpedful   remembrance  of  htm, 
and  our  unity  with  his  labours  and  fervices! 
And  we  are  fincerely  defirous,  that  the  glory  of 
every  good  and  perfedt  work  may  be  attributed 
to  that  divine  power  alone,  which  can  qualify 
others  to  fupply  the  places  of  thofe  faithful 
minifters  and  fervants  of  Chrift,  who  have  been 
of  late  years  removed  from  among  us,  and  are 
of  that  number,  of  whom  it  is  written,  Bleffed 
are  the  dead,  which  die  in  the  Lord,  from  hence- 
forth, yea,  faith  the  fpirit,  that  they  may  refi 
from  their  labours,   and  their  works  do  follow 
them. 

He  departed  this  life  on  the  ifland  of  Torto- 
la  (where  he  was  engaged  on  a  religious  vifit) 
the  4/^  day  of  the  ninth  month,  1741,  a^ed 
upwards  of  fixty.fix  years. 


A  Teftimony  from  the  Monthly  Meeting  ^/^  Phila- 
delphia, concerning  Esther  Clare, 

CHE  was  a  minifter  well  qualified  for  the 
publication  of  the  dodtrine  of  the  gofpel 
and  vifited  friends  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland 
in  the  fervice  of  truth.     In  the  latter  part  of 
her  life,  when  not  prevented  by  bodily  infir-' 

^  3  mi  ties. 


w 


(       102      ) 

mities,  we  had  the  benefit  of  her  labours  much 
in  this  city;  her  teftimony  being  frequently 
attended  with  demonftration  of  divine  help, 
was  well  accepted,  and  of  good  fervice.  She 
departed  this  life  the  3J  of  the  eighth  month, 
1742,  in  the  fixty-eighth  year  of  her  age,  ia 
unity-and  good  efteem  among  friends. 


^  ^ejtimony  from  the  Monthly  Meeting  (?/^  Phila- 
delphia, concerning  Robert  Jordan, 

TT  appear$,    he  was  born   in  the  county  of 

*  Nancemond  in  Virginia,  the  27/A  of  the 
tenth  month,  1693,  of  parents  in  good  efteem 
^mong  friends,  and  that  about  the  year  17 18 
he  received  a  gift  in  the  miniftry,  as  did  his 
brother  Jofeph  about  the  fame  time ;  and  to 
their  firft  apppearance  in  that  weighty  work  the 
labours  of  Lydia  Lancafter  and  her  compa- 
nion, then  on  a  religious  vifit  from  Great 
Britain,  were,  under  divine  help,  made  in- 
ftrumental. 

Of  his  firft  travels  in  the  fervice  of  truth, 
the  following  is  an  abftradl  from  an  account 
committed  to  writing  by  himfelf. 

^  I  early  found  a  concern  on  my  mind  to 
^  vlfit  friends  in  Maryland,  which  I  did  on 
<  both  fides   of  the   bay  (Chefapeak)  in   fear 

*  and  trembling,   bemg  young  and  weak,   and 

*  the  work  very  e^^ercifing  by  reafon  of  an 
^  obvious   declenfioui    which   occafioned    me 

*  much  exercife  in  fpeaking  and  writing  againft 
I  the  fpirit  ol  liberty,  fuperfluity,  and  confor- 

*  mity 


(     103     ) 
mitv  to  the  world,  for  a  teftimony  againft 
which,  in  many  particulars,  ancient  friends 
fufFered  much ;  but  now,  with  many  is  the 
offence  of    that   crofs    ceafed,    and    friends 
fufferings  trampled  upon,  to  the  great  grief 
of  my  fpirit,  refpedling  tythes,  apparel,  &c. 
And  as  the  Lord  hath   been  pleafed  to  com- 
mit a  part  of  the  miniftry  to  me,  and  of  that 
part  which  is  more  neceffary  than  defirable, 
in  this  age  of  the  church,  he  hath  been  gra- 
cioufly  pleafed   hitherto  to  furnifli   with  a 
fuitable  ability  for  his  honour,  and  my  faith- 
ful  difcharge  of  duty.     For,   as  before  mjr 
appearance  I  was  long  under  the  concern, 
being  fully  convinced  it  was  required  of  me, 
but  giving  way  to  reafonings,  the  fuggeftions 
and  bufFetings  of  Satan,  I  was  likely  to  lofe 
my  condition,  had  not  the  Lord  been  very 
gracious,  who  knew  that  I  did  not  hold  back 
obftinately,    but  through  human  weaknefs, 
and  contempt  of  myfelf  for  fuch  a  weighty 
fervice ;  fo  in  a  deep  travail  of  foul  once  in 
a  meeting,  breathing  for  ftrength  to  bring 
forth,   I  defired,  that  the  Lord  would  com- 
mit   the  hardeft  part  of   the  work  to  my 
charge,   which  I  think  was  granted,   and  a 
hard  travail    I   had  in  my  firft  appearance. 
But   it    fared  otherwife  with    my    brother, 
whom  I  prefer,   he  was  not  difobedient  to 
the  heavenly  vifion,  fubmitting  fpccdily  to  the 
call,  and  has  been  very  profperous  hitherto; 
may  the  Lord  preferve  us  ftcady  and  faithful 
to  the  end. 

*  After  this,  we  travelled  together  in  Mary- 
land, vifiting  friends  on  each  fide  of  the  bay. 


H 


and 


(     104    ) 
'  and  at  the  yearly  meeting  near  Choptank, 

•  having  meetings  alio  in  the  way  on  our 
'  return,  and  were  frequently  employed  and 
'  zealouily   concerned   in    the    Lord's  work; 

•  bleffed  be  his  name  who  hath  called  us  out 

•  of  darknefs,  and  with  the  day-fpring  from 
'  on   high    vifited   our   fouls,    accounting   us 

•  worthy  of  this  high  vocation,  even  to  hold 
'  forth   the  glory  of  this  gofpel  day,  giving 

•  encouragement  and  enlargement  of  heart  in 

•  the  myfteries  and  dodtrines  of  his  kingdom, 
'  fo  that  in  the  ability  of  divine  faith,  we 
'  frequently  travelled  about,  both  in  Virginia 
'  and  Carolina,  while  young.  But  as  there  is 
'  a  diverfity  of  gifts,  fo  there  is  of  operation, 

•  according  to  the  good  pleafure  of  our  great 
'  benefador,  and  the  emergency  of  times  and 

•  occafions;    fo  let  not  us   of  the  miniftry, 

•  imitate  one  another  in  this  refpecfl,  but  be 

•  careful,   dear  friends,    to   keep   to   our   true 

•  guide,  the  Holy  Spirit,  for  youth  is  warm, 

•  zealous,  and  without  feafonable  caution  an4 

•  Avatchfulnefs,  apt  to  exceed  ability  and  expe- 

•  rience,  and  fo  may  be  overtrained,   and  fuf- 

•  tain  lofs  and  injury.' 

In  the  year  1722,  he  performed  a  religious 
vifit  as  far  as  New  England,  which  employed 
him  about  ten  months,  and  on  his  return 
home,  he  was  fued  in  the  beginning  of  the 
following  year  for  priefts  wages,  and  for  his 
refulal  to  comply  with  the  demand ;  he  oiFered 
to  the  magiftrates  in  writing,  fundry  confidera- 
ticns ;  which  being  taken  amifs,  he  was,  after 
fome  time,  indirted  by  the  grand  jury,  and 
iummoncd  before  the  governor  and  council ; 


in 


(  J05  ) 

in  this  time  of  trial,  (he  fays)  *  Some  forfook 
me  as  being  afliamed  of  my  teftimony,  and 
of  my  fufferings  for  it;  at  my  firft  appear- 
ance the  fiercenefs  of  the  dragon  was  felt, 
his  dark  power  feeming  to  be  great  and  ter- 
rible, as  though  he  would  have  fvvallowed 
me  up  quick,  and  truth's  adverfaries  feemed 
to  rejoice,  for  I  was  made  to  ftand  like  a 
fool  for  them  to  glory  over  me.  However, 
my  mind  being  compofed,  and  ftayed  in 
ftillnefs  on  the  Lord,  with  earneil  breathings 
for  divine  aid  in  this  his  caufe,  for  which 
and  myfelf,  I  found  it  fafeft  to  fay  little  at 
that  time,  being  greatly  defirous  that  I  might 
not  give  way  one  jot  from  my  teftimony, 
through  fear  even  of  death  itfclf,  for  I 
thought  I  felt  the  bitternefs  of  it  ftrike  at 
my  natural  life. 

*  On  the  day  when  final  judgment  on  the 
cafe  was  to  be  given,  I  was  brought  before 
them  the  third  time,  and  they  demanded 
what  I  had  further  to  fay  before  fentence  was 
palled ;  I  then  defired  liberty  to  make  my 
defence,  and  to  give  my  fenfe  on  the  con- 
tents of  my  paper,  the  commiflary  or  chief 
prieft  having  perverted  my  meaning  ;  which 
requeft  the  governor  feemed  dilpofed  to 
allow,  but  it  was  afterwards  denied,  as  I 
apprehend,  through  the  influence  of  the 
prieft.  Howbeit,  I  told  them  I  remembered 
to  have  read  a  provifo  of  an  ad  of  parlia- 
ment, that  no  man  fhould  be  pu.iiilied  for 
any  oftence  againft  the  acl,  p'-"  :s  be  was 
prolecuted  within  three  mc>p.r  after  the 
fa(ft ;    but    this,    faid    I,     v'..       ,  ,out  kwtn 

*  months 


(     io6     ) 

months  after;  but  fome  of  the  court  fefolv- 
ing  on   fevcrity,    to  induce  me  to  fubmit, 
they  proceeded  to  give  fentence  of  a  year's 
imprifonment,    or  bonds   with  fecurity  for 
good    behaviour,    &c.   when,   with   a  com- 
pofed  mind,   and  an   audible  voice,    I  faid. 
This  is  a  hard  [entente,   and  I  pray  God  to 
forgive  mine  adver/aries,  which  affefted  di- 
vers  of  the  by-ftanders  with  tears,  and  one 
in  particular,  a  judge,  and  man  of  note,  was 
much  afteded,  made  himfelf  acquainted,  and 
converfed  with  me  more  than  once,  appears 
to  be  a  tender  man,    and  well  convinced, 
having  fince  gladly  received   meetings  into 
his  houfe,  and,  as  he  has  told  me,  laid  down 
his  con:Lmiflion. — 

*  Being   committed   to  prifon,    I  was   firft 
placed  in  the  debtors  apartment,   but  in  a 
few  days  was  removed  into  the  common  fide, 
where  condemned  perfons  are  kept,  and  for 
fometime  had  not  the  privilege  of  feeing  any 
body,    except   a   negroe,   who   once   a   day 
brought  water  to  the  prifoners.    This  place 
was  fo  dark,  that  I  could  not  fee  to  read 
even   at   noon,    without   creeping   to  fmall 
holes  in  the  door;  being  alfo  very  noifome, 
the  infeftious  air  brought  on  me  the  flux, 
that,  had  not  the  Lord  been  pleafed  to  have 
fuftained  me  by  his   invifible  hand,   I  had 
there  loft  my  life.    The  governor  was  made 
acquainted  with  my  condition,  and  I  believe 
ufcd  his  endeavours  for  my  liberty.     The 
commiiTary  vifited  me  more  than  once,  under 
a  Ihew  of  friendship,   but  with  a  view  to 
cniw^Q  me,  and  I  was  very  wary  of  him. 

*  I  wrote 


(     J07     ) 

I  wrote  again  to  the  governor,  to  acquaint 
him  of  my  fituation ;  fo  after  a  confinement 
of  three  weeks,  I  was  difcharged,  without 
any  acknowledgment  or  compliance,  and  this 
brought  me  into  an  acquaintance,  and  ready 
admittance  to  the  governor,  who  faid  I  was 
a  meek  man,  &c.  —  Thus  I  returned  home 
with  praife  and  thankfgiving  in  my  heart  to 
the  Lord,  who  had  caufed  his  truth  to 
triumph  over  the  ftrong  efforts  of  man,  and. 
the  powers  of  the  earth.' 
In  the  year  1725,  accompanied  by  Thomas 
Plcafants,  he  again  vifited  friends  in  Maryland 
and  the  yearly  meeting  near  Choptank.  My 
concern  here  (he  fays)  '  Was  principally  to 
labour  for  the  reftoration  of  wholefome  dif- 
cipline,  the  negledt  whereof  I  conceive  has 
been  a  great  caufc  of  the  diforder  and  undue 
liberty  prevailing  among  the  profeflbrs  of 
truth  there;  and  when  the  fervice  of  this 
meeting  was  over,  we  vifited  the  meetings  on 
the  wertern  fliore,  and  returned  home,  hav- 
ing left  an  example  of  that  ufeful  and  necef- 
fary  pradlice  of  vifiting  families,  joining 
friends  therein  for  fome  time.  We  are,  thanks 
be  to  God,  come  and  coming  into  the  fame 
in  Virginia,  which,  with  fome  afliftance,  I 
have  pretty  generally  performed  through  our 
monthly  meeting,  and  never,  I  think,  was 
more  fenfible  of  the  company  and  ability  of 
truth  in  any  fervice,  according  to  the  digni- 
ty of  it/ 

A  malicious  perfon  getting  into  his  pofTef- 
fion  the  judgment  obtained  againft  him  for 
the  demand  of  tythcs  before  mentioned,  had 


i 


(     io8    ] 

fevcn  of  his  cattle  feized  and  appraifed,  but 
deferred  taking  them  away  until  about  two 
years  after,  when  he  procured  a  new  aftion 
againft  him,  alledging,  but  not  proving,  that 
Robert  had  converted  at  leaft  a  part  of  them 
to  his  own  ufe,  and  fo  managed  the  matter  in 
his  abfence,  as  to  make  the  debt  amount  to 
twenty  pounds,  though  the  demand  was  but 
eight  pounds  ;  and  ferving  the  execution  on 
his  body,  he  was  again  committed  to  prifon  in 
the  twelfth  month,  1727,  where  being  con- 
fined fifteen  weeks,  he  was  at  length  difcharg- 
cd,  without  any  perfon  paying  any  thing  for 
him,  which  he  would  not  fuffer. 

Soon  after  he  was  brought  under  a  trial, 
^vith  others  of  his  friends,  by  the  operation  of 
a  militia  law,  whereupon  they  addrelfed  gover- 
nor Gooch  on  his  arrival,  reprefenting  to  him 
their  fufferings  by  fpoil  of  goods  and  impri- 
fonment,  which,  with  the  friends  who  at- 
tended on  the  occafion,  he  received  with  kind- 
nefs. 

*  Having  this  year  (he  remarks)   fufFered 

*  perfecution  in  body  and  eflate,  as  a  prepara- 

*  tive  to  a  greater  afilldtion,  (all  of  which  doth 

*  and  will  work  for  good)  my  dear  affedtionate 

*  wife  was  called  away.' 

The  next  year,  1728,  he  embarked  for  Great 
Britain,  with  our  friend  Samuel  Bownas,  who 
had  accomplKhed  his  journeys  on  this  continent 
in  the  fervice  of  the  gofpel ;  and  after  per- 
forming a  religious  vifit  to  the  meetings  of 
friends  in  England,  Scotland,  Wales,  and  Ire- 
land, he  proceeded  to  Barbadoes,  and  arrived 
from  thence  in  this  city  in  1730,  then  went  to 

Virginia, 


(     109     ) 

Virginia,  and  In  the  fame  year  performed  a  vifit 
as  far  eaftward  as  Rhode- Ifland,  accompanied  by 
his  intimate  friend  Caleb  Raper  of  Burlington. 

The  following  year  intermarrying  with  Mary 
the  widow  of  Richard  Hill,  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  our  monthly-meeting,  and  after  a  vifit 
to  the  meetings  of  friends  in  Maryland  and 
Virginia,  he  embarked  on  a  fecond  vifit  to 
Great-Britain,  from  whence  he  returned  in  the 
fummer  of  1734,  between  which  time  and  the 
year  1738,  he  performed  another  vifit  eafl:ward, 
and  three  to  the  fouthern  provinces,  befides 
one  to  South-Carolina  and  Georgia,  and  from- 
thence  proceeded  to  Rhode-Ifland,  and  to  Bof- 
ton,  and  in  1740  he  went  on  a  fecond  vifit  to 
Barbadoes,  and  in  the  fucceeding  year,  accom- 
panied by  Caleb  Raper,  he  accompliflied  his 
lafi:  vifit  eafl:ward  as  far  as  Bofi:on. 

Hereby  we  may  obferve  his  unwearied  ap- 
plication and  exercife,  to  fulfil  the  minifl:ry 
which  he  had  received  of  the  Lord.  He  was  a 
member  of  this  meeting  above  ten  years,  and 
though  his  time  was  much  employed  in  his  re- 
ligious duties  abroad,  he  did  not  omit  the  ad- 
jacent meetings,  being  induftrious  and  labori- 
ous for  the  general  welfare  and  profperity  of 
the  churches ;  for  the  promotion  whereof  he 
was,  through  the  divine  anointing,  eminently 
qualified. 

His  minifl:ry  being  convincing  and  confola- 
tory,  his  delivery  graceful  but  unafFefl-ed ;  in 
prayer  he  was  folemn  and  reverent ;  he  delight- 
ed in  meditation,  recommending,  by  example, 
religious  retirement  in  his  familiar  vifits  among 
his  friends.    In  his  fentiments  he  was  generous 

and 


i 


(    no    ) 

and  charitable,  yet  a  firm  oppofer  of  obftinate 
libertines  in  principles  or  pradlice,  demonftrat^ 
mg  his  love  to  the  caufc  of  religion  and  righte- 
oufnefs  above  all  other  confiderations  ;  beinir 
careful  to  adorn  the  doftrine  of  the  gofpel,  by 
a  life  of  piety  and  benevolence,  and  we  have 
ground  to  hope  and  believe  he  was  prepared 
for  the  fudden  fummons  from  his  pilgrimage 
here,  which  was  on  the  fifth  day  of  the  eighth 
month,  O.  S.  1742,  when  being  at  the  houfc 
of  one  of  his  moft  intimate  friends  on  the  third 
day  of  the  week  in  the  morning,  waiting  for 
the  hour  of  meeting,  he  was  feized  with  a  fit 
of  the  apoplexy,  which  very  foon  deprived 
him  of  fpeech,  and  he  died  about  midnight 
following,  in  the  forty-ninth  year  of  his  age, 
being  a  minifter  about  24  years.  His  burial  on 
the  7th  of  the  fame  month  was  attended  by  a 
great  number  of  his  fellow-citizens  to  our 
meeting-houfe  in  High-ftreet,  and  thence  to 
the  grave-yard. 


ii 


A  'Tejlimony  from  Abingdon  Monthly-Meeting 
in    Pennfylvania,    concerning   John    Cad- 

WALLADER. 

rjE  was  convinced  of  the  principle  of  truth 
*  when  young,  and  underwent  many  deep 
baptizing  feafons,  by  which,  it  is  believed, 
he  was  in  a  good  degree  made  an  overcomer. 
He  travelled  much  in  the  cxercife  of  his  gift 
in  the  miniflry,  having  vifited  his  brethren  in 
truth's  fervice,  in  moft  or  all  parts  of  this 

continent 


(  III  ) 

continent  where  friends  then  refided ;  and  crof- 
fed  the  feas  twice  to  Europe  on  the  fame  ac- 
count, and  once  to  the  ifland  of  Barbadoes* 
In  which  concern  he  was  always  careful  to 
have   the   concurrence   of  his  brethren,    and 
good  accounts  and  credentials  of  his  accepta- 
ble fervice  were  upon  all  thofe  occafions  com- 
municated to  this  monthly-meeting.     He  was 
alfo  ferviceable  amongft  us  in  meetings  of  dif- 
cipline.     His   laft  vifit  was  to  the  ifland  of 
Tortola,  in  company  with  our  worthy  friend 
John  Eftaugh.     He  was  taken  unwell  on  his 
paflage  thither,  yet  when  he  landed,  proceeded 
m  the  fervice  he  went  upon,  to  the  fatisfaftion 
of  friends  there,  as  appears  from  accounts  fent 
hither  by  a  friend  of  that  ifland.     But  his  dif- 
temper  increafing  upon  him,  he  departed  this 
life  in  peace  on  faid  ifland,  the  2tth  of  the 
ninth  month,   1742,  aged  near  fixty-fix  years. 


A  Tejiimonyfrom  Haddon field  Monthly^Meetlng 
in  New-Jerfey,  concerning  JohnEstaugh. 

^HE  remembrance  of  our  dear  deceafed 
^  friend  John  Efl:augh,  remains  as  a  good 
favour  on  many  of  our  minds.  He  was  born 
in  Keldevon  in  Eflex,  in  Great-Britain,  on  the 
Q.ld  of  the  fecond  month,  1676.  In  the  year 
1700,  he  came  over  to  America  on  a  religious 
vifit,  which  he  performed  to  the  great  fatisfac- 
tion  of  friends  ;  after  which,  he  fettled  at 
Haddonfield,  in  the  county  of  Gloucefter,  and 
weftern  divifion  of  New-Jerfey.     He  has  been 

heard 


(       112      ) 

heard  to  fay,  that  when  he  firft  fettled  in  our 
parts,  he  was  nearly  united  to  a  folid  remnant 
of  friends  that  then  belonged  to  Newtown- 
meeting,  and  that  he  had  been  careful  to  feel 
the  drawings  of  the  Father's  love  in  vifiting 
neighbouring  meetings,  in  many  of  which,  he 
was  favoured  to  minifter  fuitably  to  the  ftates 
and  conditions  of  thofe  that  heard  him  ;  he 
being  as  a  fcribe  well  inftrud:ed,  who  brought 
forth  out  of  the  heavenly  treafury,  things  both 
new  and  old. — Since  his  firft  fettlement  among 
us,  he  vifited  friends  in  England,  Ireland,  New- 
England,  and  fome  of  the  Weft-India  illands, 
feveral  times.  He  was  an  humble-minded  ex- 
emplary friend,  folid  and  grave  in  his  deport- 
ment, well  becoming  a  minifter  of  Chrift,  zea- 
lous for  preferving  good  order  in  the  church, 
and  maintaining  love  and  unity,  that  badge  of 
true  difcipleftiip,  remarkably  careful  in  his 
converfation  among  men,  his  words  being  few 
and  favoury.  The  laft  vifit  which  he  made 
was  to  the  ifland  of  Tortola,  where  after  his 
fervice  was  over,  he  was  taken  fick,  and  de- 
parted this  life :  And  we  doubt  not  but  that 
he  is  in  the  fruition  of  that  glory  and  happi- 
nefs  which  never  will  have  an  qnd. 


I 


An 


(     113     ) 

An  AbjhaSl  from  Elizabeth  Eftaugh's  ?>/?/« 
fyiony^  concerning  her  beloved  hujbajid  John 
EsTAUGH  deceafedy  prefixed  to  a  Treati/e  of 
his,    efititled,    ''  A  Call    to   the   unfaithful 
Profeflbrs  of  Truth.'* 

CINCE    it    pleafed    Divine    Providence    (o 
^  highly  to  favour  me,  with  being  the  near 
companion  of  this  dear  worthy,  I  cannot  be 
altogether  filent,  but  muft  give  fome  fmall  ac- 
count of  the  early  working  of  truth  in  him* 
He  was  born  of  religious   parents,  but  grew 
uneafy  with  the   religious  profeffions  both  of 
father  and  mother,   who  were  of  different  per- 
fuafions,  and  being  a  feeker,  fell  in  with  the 
Baptifts,  and  liked  them  fo  well  he  was  near 
joining   them.     But  a  neighbour,  who  was  a 
friend,  being  dead,  he  was  invited  to  the  bu- 
rial, where  that  worthy  minifter  of  the  gofpeJ, 
Francis  Stamper  of  London,  being  led  to  fpeak 
with   life  and   power  diredtly   to  his  ftate,  it 
made  fuch  deep  impreffions  on  his  tender  mind, 
that  put  him   upon  fearch  into  the  principles 
of  friends,    and    being  fully  fatisfied,    joined 
with  them  in  the  feventeenth  year  of  his  age. 

About  the  eighteenth  year  of  his  age,  he 
came  forth  in  the  miniftry,  and  being  faithful 
he  grew  in  his  gift,  fo  that  in  fome  time  he 
travelled  to  vifit  friends  in  the  north  of  Eng- 
land, and  Scotland,  and  in  the  year  1700  came 
over  on  a  vifit  to  fritnds  in  America.  We  were 
married  on  the  firft  day  of  the  tenth  month, 
1702,  and  fettled  at  Haddonfield  in  New-Jcr- 
fey.  In  the  fore  part  of  his  time  he  travelled 
pretty  much;   but  in  the  latter  part  he  was 

I  prevented 


"   '-4 

1 
1-. 


(     114    ) 

prevented  therefrom  by  an  infirmity  of  body ; 
and  his  good  Mafter,  who  requires  no  impof- 
fibilities  of  his  fervants,  favoured  him  with 
being  eafy  at  home ;  where,  through  mercy, 
we  lived  very  comfortably;  few,  if  any,  in  a 
married  flate,  ever  lived  in  a  fweeter  harmony 
than  we  did.  He  was  a  pattern  of  moderation 
in  all  things ;  not  lifted  up  with  any  enjoy- 
ments, nor  caft  down  at  difappointments ;  a 
man  endowed  with  many  good  gifts,  which 
rendered  him  very  agreeable  to  his  friends, 
and  much  more  to  me,  his  wife. 

After  fome  years  of  indifpofition,  (as  before 
IS  obferved)  it  pleafed  the  Lord  to  reftore  him 
to  a  ftate  of  health  ;  and  foon  after  he  had  a 
concern  to  vifit  friends  at  Tortola.  This 
brought  on  him  a  deep  excrcife,  but  when  he 
was  confirmed  it  was  really  required  of  him, 
he  gave  up  to  it ;  and  was  then  weaned  from 
home,  and  the  company  there  which  ufed  to 
be  fo  pleafant  to  him.  He  firft  wrote  to  friends 
on  that  iiland;  but  finding  that  would  not  ex- 
cufe  him,  he  durft  no  longer  delay;  fo,  on  the 
i3/y6  of  the  eighth  month,  1742,  we  parted  in 
the  aboundings  of  love  and  aiFedion.  And 
now,  the  molt  acceptable  account  I  can  give 
of  his  fervice  in  Tortola,  is  extraded  from  two 
letters  which  I  received  from  a  friend  of  that 
place,  direvlled  to  me,  and  to  the  following 
clfeCl,  viz. 

*  On  the  eighth  of  the  ninth  month,   1742, 

*  he  arrived  at  the  houfe  of  John  Pickering  with 

*  his  companion  John  Cadwallader,  where  they 

*  were  received  with  much  love  and  great  joy, 

*  being  made  to  rejoice  together  in  the  tender 

*  mercies 


t^ 


(    US    ) 

»  mercies  and  love  of  God,  which  was  ^reatlv 

*  manifefted  that  day,  to  the  honour  and^'praife 

*  of  his  great  name,  and  alfo  to  the  comfortin? 
'  of  his  poor  people.   The  teftimonies  of  theft 

*  fervants  of  the  Lord  were  with  life  and  power 
'  and  were  as  clouds  filled  with  rain  upon  a 

*  thirfty  land. —  ^ 

'  But  to  be  more  particular  concerning  thy 

*  dear  hufband,  whofe  memory  is  dear  and 
'  precious  to  me,  and  many  more  whofe  hearts 
'  were  open  to  receive  the  glad  tidings  which 
'  he  brought.  His  godly  life  and  converfation 
'  fpoke  him  to  be  a  true  follower  of  the  Lamb 

'  and  minifter  of  Jefus  Chrift,  whom  he  freely 
'  preached,  and  by  theefFeftual  power  of  whofe 
'  divine  love,  was  he  called  forth  to  our  affift- 
ance,  for  which  we  blefs,  praife,  and  mag- 
nify the  God  of  all  our  mercies:  And  as  a 
faithful    meflenger,    with   much  love,   in  a 
tender  frame  of  fpirit,  would  he  invite  all  to 
the  fountain  which  had    healed  him.     O  » 
the  deep  humility  that  appeared  in  him  in 
the  time  of  his  public  teftimonyj  and  when 
in  private  converfation  with  his  near  and  dear 
friends,  as  he  often  faid  we  were  to  him, 
how  cheerful  and  pleafant  would  he  be,  in 
that    blefled    freedom   wherein    Chrift   had 
niade  him  free.     Innocent,  harmlefs,  of  a 
cheerful    countenance,    yet   not    without   a 
Chriftian  gravity  well  becoming  the  doftrine 
he  preached.     He  was  valiant  for  the  truth 
to  the  laft,  and  though  he  is  gone  to  his 
grave,  his  memory  is  fweet  and  precious. 

V^'^  ^^^  ^'^  ^^^^^^  ^^""^  "'^'^  """^  ^^^  f^^^th 
of  his  dear  companion;    but  going  to  his 

*  2  burial. 


(     n6    ) 

burial,  we  were  caught  in  a  fliovver  of  rain, 
which  we  and  he  believed  was  the  occafion  of 
his  illnels.  However,  he  was  mightily  fa- 
voured with  the  divine  prefence,  which  ena- 
bled him  to  anfwer  the  fervice  of  that  day; 
and  the  next,  being  the  firft  day  of  the  week, 
we  had  a  bleffed  meeting,  the  Lord's  pre- 
fence accompanying  us  ;  and  though  thy 
dear  hulband  was  fo  near  his  end,  his  candle 
iliined  as  bright  as  ever,  and  many  that  be- 
held it  were  led  to  glorify  God  on  his  be- 
half. This  was  the  lall:  opportunity  on  this 
ifland,  fave  his  farewell  upon  his  dying  bed, 
where  he  both  preached  and  prayed,  a  little 
before  his  departure. 

*  On  the  next  day,  being  the  fecond  day  of 
the  week,  he  went  to  a  little  illand  called 
Jos  Vandicks,  accompanied  with  feveral 
friends  J  but  on  the  third  day,  in  the  morning, 
he  complained  very  much,  yet  was  enabled 
to  go  to  m.eeting,  where  a  pretty  many  peo- 
ple were  allembled,  and  a  blelfed  opportu- 
nity we  had  together,  to  the  tendering  and 
melting  our  hearts  into  a  heavenly  frame. 

*  But  he  who  never  fpared  his  labour  whilll 
amongft  us,  extending  his  voice  as  a  trum- 
pet of  the  Lord's  own  founding,  was  fo 
inwardly  fpent  he  was  ready  to  faint.  How- 
ever, he  went  on  board  the  floop  that  after- 
noon, and  next  morning  came  afliore  at  our 
houfe  ;  where  he  had  not  been  long  before 
a  Ihivering  fit  feized  him,  and  a  fever  foon 
followed,  which  kept  its  conftant  courfe 
every  day.  This  being  the  ]/}  day  of  the 
tenth  month,  he  took  great  notice  that  it 

*  ended 


(    i'7    ) 

'^  ended   forty  years  fince  his  marriage  with 

'  thee ;  that  during  that  time  you  had  hved  in 

^  much  love,    and  parted  in  the  fame;    and 

that  thou  waft  his  greateft  concern   of  all 

*  outward  enjoyments.  And  though  the  laft 
two  days  he  was  in  much  pain,  yet  he  was 
preferved  under  it  in  much  patience  and  re- 

♦  fignation,  and  had  his  perfed  fenfes  to  the 
'  lalt,  exhorting  friends  to  faithfulnefs,  &c. 

And  on  the  tth  day  of  the  tenth  month 
;  about  fix  o'clock  at  night,   he  went  away 
^  iike  a  lamb,  with  praifes  and  thankfgivings 
'in  his  lips  but  about  two  minutes  before.' 
Thus  far  from  the  faid  letters. 

And  thus  finiflied  this  dear  worthy  in  the 
fixty-feventh  year  of  his  age;  highly  favoured 
by  his  great  and  good  Mafter  in  the  very  ex- 
treme moments;    the  confideration  whereof, 
and  the  account  given  of  his    fervice,  afford 
me,  at  times,  fome  relief.     And  I  have  a  fe- 
cret  fatisfadtion  in  that  I  was  enabled  to  give 
him  up  (though  fo  dear  to  me)  unto  the  fer- 
vice into  which  he  was  called.     This  is  a  hint 
tOT  thofe  who  may  be  under  the  like  exercifc 
and  trial,  that  they  may  not  hold  back,  but 
iubmit,  and  freely  give  up  their  all,  leaving 
the   conlequence  to  the  wife  difpofing  hand 
who  knows  for  what  caufe  it  is,  he  is  pleafed 
10  nearly  to  try  his  people. 


I 


A  Tejiimony 


(     nS    ) 


Jl  Teftlmony  from  the  Monthly-Meeting  of  Phi^. 
ladelphia,  concerning  Samvel  Preston. 

HE  was  born  in  Maryland,  but  removing  to 
fettle  in  and  near  this  city,  he  became, 
and  continued  a  member  of  this  meeting  ,  be- 
ing an  elder  circumlped  in  his  conducl:,  and 
carefully  concerned  for  the  good  of  the  church, 
adlive  and  ferviceable  in  the  maintenance  of 
our  Chriftian  difcipline  ;  and  by  his  attention 
to  the  dictates  of  divine  grace,  he  became  well 
qualitied  for  this  fervice.  He  tilled  fome  rta- 
tions  in  the  government,  wherein  he  acquitted 
himfelf  with  iuftice  and  uprightnefs ;  and  be- 
ing endued  with  a  clear  judgment  and  good 
underitmding,  his  integrity,  to  what  he  be- 
lieved to  be  his  duty,  became  confpicuous  and 
inrtrudive  ;  being  a  lover  of  truth,  and  exren- 
five  in  his  charitv  to  mankind.  In  his  laft 
illnefs  he  difcovered  great  reUgnation  of  mind, 
and  much  love  and  fellowihip  with  his  bre- 
thren, with  whom  he  lived  and  died  in  good 
unity. 

He  departed  this  life  on  the  lOth  of  the  fe- 
venth  month,  1743,  in  the  feventy-ninth  year 
of  his  aec. 


His  fini  wife  Rachel,  was  one  of  the  dauzh- 
ters  ot  our  worthv  triena  Thomas  Llcvd,  and 
was  fiiJ  to  have  been  a  vcrv  ferviceable,  iudi- 
cioui,  ^".i  valuable  woman, 

Hij 


(     i'9    ) 

His  fecond  wife,  was  Margaret  the  widow  of 
Jofiah  Langdale  (a  worthy  minifter,  who  lived 
in  Yorkfliire,  in  Great-Britain,  and  had  for- 
merly vifited  friends  in  America,  but  conclud- 
ing afterwards  to  remove  with  his  family  to 
Pennfylvania,  he  died  on  his  paflage,  in  the 
year  1723.) — Concerning  the  faid  Margaret, 
the  aforefaid  monthly-meeting  of  Philadelphia 
thus  teftifv. 

"  She  was  endued  with  an  excellent  gift  in 
the  miniftry,  and  travelled  m.uch  in  the  fervice 
of  truth  through  this  and  the  neighbouring 
provinces.  Her  teftimony  being  lively,  found, 
and  edifying,  was  well  received  among  friends. 
Being  likewife  well  qualified  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  our  difcipline,  fhe  became  an  ufeful 
inftrument  for  the  promotion  and  fupport  of 
our  Chrirtian  teftimony.  She  died  the  23^  of 
the  fixth  month,  1742,  in  the  fifty-eighth 
year  of  her  age." 

According  to  John  Rutty's  account,  /he 
went  from  Yorkfeire  on  a  religious  vilit  to 
Ireland,  in  171 5. 


A  Tejimcny  fromfriznd:  in  Virginia,  concerning 
Thomas  Pleasants, 


HE  wa?  the  eldeft  fon  of  John  and  Dorothy 
Pleafants,  and  born  the  3^  of  the  ninth 
month,  1695  ;  being  a  youth  of  good  natural 
parts,  and  well  inftructed  in  fchool-learning. 
His  tather  dying  whilft  he  was  young,  he  was 
deprived   of  the  additional   advantage  of  the 

I   .  admonitions 


(       120      ) 

admonitions  and  reftraints  of  a  worthy  parent, 
fo  beneficial  to  the  forming  the  minds  of  youth. 
JJeverthelefs,  he  had  an  eye  to  the  recompencc 
of  reward,  and  about  the  twenty-ninth  year  of 
his  age  was  called  to  the  work  of  the  miniftry, 
in  which  he  laboured  both  amongft  friends  and 
other  people  much  to  fatisfaftion,  having  meet-r 
ings  where  none  had  been  held  before.  Once,  in 
company  with  his  brother  Robert  Jordan,  he  vi- 
fited  friends  on  the  weftern  ihore  of  Maryland, 
and  alfo  attended  the  yearly-meeting  at  Chop- 
tank,  on  the  eaftern  (hore.  His  fervices  feemed 
much  confined  to  his  own  country,  where, 
though  the  number  of  friends  was  fmall,  he  was 
not  difcouraged  thereat,  but  endeavoured  to  dif- 
charge  his  duty  amongft  them,  not  only  at  the 
adjacent  meetings,  but  thofe  more  at  a  diftance; 
and  was  made  inftrumental  in  convincing  fe- 
veral  in  the  upper  parts  of  the  colony,  as  well 
as  in  fettling  two  or  three  meetings.  A  few 
years  before  his  deceafe,  he  wrote  an  epiftle, 
diredlcd  to  friends  in  every  ftation,  but  more 
particularly  to  the  minifters,  thereby  further  de- 
monftrating  that  his  diligence  and  labours  pro-, 
ceeded  from  an  earneft  concern  for  the  promotion 
of  truth,  and  a  right  gofpel  miniftry.  He  was 
indeed  a  man  much  devoted  to  the  fervice  of 
truth,  and  a  confiderable  fufferer  for  bearing 
his  tcftimony  againft  priefls-wages,  having  once 
been  a  prifoner  on  that  account.  He  married 
Mary,  the  daughter  of  Robert  Jordan,  of 
Nancemond  county,  and  left  a  numerous  off- 
fpring,  lome  of  them  young,  for  whole  eter- 
nal welfare  he  was  particularly  follcitous.  Be- 
ing once  on  a  vifit  to  friends  at  fome  diftance 

from 


j'-'vm-.p-r 


(      121      ) 

from  home,  he  was  taken  very  ill,  and  feemed 
defirous  that  he  might  finifh  his  courfe  among 
his  dear  children,  in  order  that  he  might  have 
an  opportunity,  at  that  awful  period,  of  enforc- 
ing his  experienced  advices  to  them,  and  pro- 
moting the  caufe  of  God,  to  which  he  was 
much  devoted  to  the  laft.  Accordingly,  he 
departed  this  life  at  his  own  houfe  the  2^t& 
of  the  eleventh  month,  174^,  and  on  the  2Ht6 
of  the  fame  month  was  interred  in  the  family 
burying-ground  at  Curies,  attended  by  a  nu* 
merous  company  of  friends  and  neighbours. 


^4  Tejllmony  from  Gwynedd  Monthly -Meeting 
in  Penniylvania,  concerning  Cadwallader 

Evans. 

HE  was  a  native  of  the  Principality  of 
Wales,  and  arrived  in  Pennfylvania  in  the 
year  1698.  And  although  he  was  not  then  in 
profefTion  with  friends,  yet  he  foon  after  en- 
tered into  clofe  fellowfhip  with  them,  and  con- 
tinued fteadfall:  to  his  end.  He  was  a  diligent 
and  feafonable  attender  of  our  religious  meet- 
ings :  on  firft  days  particularly,  he  was  ready 
an  hour  before  the  time  appointed,  and  then 
read  feveral  chapters  in  the  bible  or  fome  reli- 
gious book.  As  the  time  approached,  he  would 
frequently  obferve  the  time  of  day,  and  by 
means  of  fuch  watchful  care,  he  was  feated 
in  meetings  one  of  the  firft,  and  fcarcely  ever 
after  the  time  appointed.  The  gravity  and 
compofurc    of  his    countenance  as    he   fat  in 

filence. 


I 


(   '5 


(       122       ) 

filence,  was  no  lefs  remarkable  than  his  punc- 
tual attendance,  and  befpoke  fuch  inward  re- 
colleftion  and  divine  engagement  of  mind,  as 
often  attrafted  the  eyes,  and  afFedted  the  hearts 
of  others. 

He  received  a  gift  in  the  miniflry,  in  the 
exercife  whereof,  he  was  generally  led  to  fpeak 
of  his  own  experience  in  religion  and  the 
Chriilian  warfare ;  and  his  teftimony,  though 
fhort,  was  inftrudive,  lively,  and  manifeftly 
attended  with  divine  fweetnefs.  Notwithftand- 
ing  it  was  always  acceptable,  he  was  very  cau- 
tious of  appearing,  left  any,  as  he  often  faid, 
Ihould  be  drawn  from  a  right  concern  of  mind, 
to  place  their  dependence  on  words. 

He  was  zealoufly  concerned  for  the  honour 
and  promotion  of  truth,  and  fupport  of  our 
Chriftian  difcipline;  and  being  endued  with 
difcerning,  and  clear  judgment  tempered  with 
charity,  he  was  very  ufeful  in  many  fervices 
of  the  church,  efpecially  that  weighty  one  of 
vifiting  friends  in  their  families.  And  although 
he  was  naturally  of  a  warm  difpofition,  yet  a 
tender  regard  to  the  fervice  of  truth,  and  a 
continual  awe  of  the  divine  prefence  prefided 
in  his  heart,  infomuch  that  meeknefs  and  con- 
defcenfion  were  confpicuous  in  his  condudl. 

There  was  a  freedom  and  affability  in  his 
behaviour  and  converfation,  which  indicated  a 
benevolence  of  heart,  and  endeared  him,  not 
only  to  the  houjhold  of  faiths  but  alfo  to  the 
profligate  and  vain ;  rendering  him  fcrviceable 
in  compofing  differences,  and  in  comforting 
the  fick  and  afflided ;  and  particularly  in  that 
fkilful  and  tender  oiRce  of  healing  difcord  in 

private 


•"*^t       l^^\-^tT9^ 


(  123  ) 

private  families,  wherein  his  endeavours  were 
remarkably  fuccefsful.  In  fuch  fervices,  he 
fpent  much  of  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  riding 
about  from  one  houfe  to  another;  and  where 
no  caufe  of  reprehenlion  appeared,  he  inter- 
fperfed  his  difcourfe  on  common  affairs,  with 
ufeful  hints,  folid  remarks,  and  leffons  of  in- 
Itruftion.  But  where  admonition  or  comfort 
were  neceffary,  the  propriety  of  his  advice,  and 
the  uprightnefs  of  his  life,  added  weight  to 
his  labours,  and  feldom  failed  of  good  effedls. 

In  private  life,  few  had  a  better  claim  to  the 
virtues  of  temperance,  juftice,  induftry,  and 
frugality,  and  as  he  well  knew  how  advanta- 
geous it  was,  **  To  train  up  a  child  in  the 
way  he  fhould  walk,"  he  took  frequent  op- 
portunities to  drop  his  experienced  advice  a- 
mong  thofe  under  his  care.  It  was  his  pradlice, 
in  winter  evenings  efpecially,  to  read  the  holy 
fcriptures  in  his  family,  and  was  particularly 
careful  that  neither  child  nor  fervant  fliould  be 
from  home  at  unfeafonable  hours;  being  highly 
fenfible  how  flippery  the  paths  of  youth  are, 
and  how  numerous  the  fnares  which  attend 
them. 

He  was  greatly  favoured  in  the  ufe  of  his 
natural  abilities,  and  enjoyed  an  uncommon 
fhare  of  health  until  his  laft  illncfs,  which  was 
fhort ;  during  that  time,  very  many  came  to 
fee  him,  who  fhewed  great  marks  of  efteem 
and  affeftion  ;  and  even  libertines,  whom  he 
had  often  rebuked  and  treated  with,  were 
deeply  affefted  with  forrow.  Indeed  it  was 
rare  to  fee  fo  many  tears  flied  at  a  fick  bed, 
more  efpecially  of  one  of  his  years,  which  gave 

a  proof 


(      124      ) 

a  proof  that  he  had  not  outlived  his  ferviccs. 
His  foul  overflowed  with  love  to  God  and  man,' 
and  being  favoured  in  his  laft  moments,  with 
a  bleffed  hope  and  confidence,  he  was  going  to 
that  place  which  God  h  d  prepared  for  thofe 
that  love  him,  he  had  a  happy  exit  from  time 
to  eternity,  the  30/A  of  the  third  month,  174;, 
aged  eighty-one. 


ATeJlimony  from  Ken  net  Montkly^Meetmg  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  William  Levis. 

TT^ILLIAM  LEVIS,ofKennet,inChef^ 
^^  ter  county,  Pennfylvania,  fon  of  Samuel 
Levis,  an  early  fettler  in  Springfield,  in  faid 
county,  was  born  in  Springfield  aforefaid,  about 
the  year  1688,  and  removed  to  Kennet  about 
1718.  By  giving  heed  to  the  meafure  of  grace 
beftowed  upon  him,  he  became  a  ferviceable 
friend  in  the  fociety  in  divers  refpedls ;  was  a 
good  neighbour,  kind  and  open-hearted  to  his 
friends,  and  has  left  a  good  report. 

His  laft  ficknefs  was  the  fmall  pox,  which 
was  heavy  upon  him,  but  he  bore  it  with  much 
patience  and  refignation  of  mind  to  the  laft ; 
faying,  that  when  the  diftempcr  came  into  the 
houfe,  it  was  no  furprize  to  him,  for  he  was 
freely  refigned,  and  thankful  he  was  fo,  for  he 
could  not  of  himfclf.  The  fame  evening  he 
was  taken  fick,  he  figned  his  will,  and  remark- 
ed how  good  it  was  to  be  contented  to  bear 
afflidion.  One  night,  as  thofe  that  watched 
with  him  were  preparing  fomething  for  him  to 

take. 


•.« 


I 


T 


(     125     ) 

take,  he  faid,  *  You  (hall  fee  your  endeavours 
*  for  me  will  avail  nothing.'     He  continued  in 
a  ftate  of  refignation,  and  appeared  cheerful  in 
the  time  of  his  illnefs.     When  nearer  his  end, 
he  was  concerned  that  others  might  do  their 
duty  faithfully  according  to  the  beft  of  their 
underftanding,  faying,  *  I  have  often  thought 
at  other  times  as  at  this,  of  the  fhortnefs  of 
our  lives  and  time  here,  and  the  uncertainty 
thereof,  which  ought  to  engage  us  to  circum- 
fpedion  and  faithfulnefs  to  the  Lord;  and  I 
charge  you  here  that  are  elders,  to  difchar^e 
your  truft  faithfully  in  the  fight  of  the  Lord, 
having  your  eye  fingle  to  him,  and  let  noth- 
ing of  felf  rule,   and  then  his  work  will  be 
carried  on  in  love  and  patience.     I  could  be 
glad  to  have  an  opportunity  once  more  with 
my  friends,  but  if  I  fhould  not,  I  would  have 
thofe  prefent,  to  acquaint  them  with  what  I 
have  to  %,  and  prels  it  home  to  the  elders, 
that  they  may  faithfully  difcharge  their  duty* 
and  acquit  themfelves  of  that  charge,  where- 
with they  are  entruftcd  ;   and  alfo  that  parents 
of  children  and  heads  of  families,  may  f^iith- 
fully  difcharge  that  great  duty  which  is  laid 
upon  them,  not  only  in  being  good  examples 
to  their  children  and  families,  but  alfo  to  be 
concerned  that  they  follow  their  footfteriv, 
adding,  it  was  a  noble  teftimony  that  God 
gave  of  Abraham,  /  know  him,  that  he  'will 
command  his  children  and  his  houp^old  after  him. 
And  if  parents  were  concerned  to  teach  their 
children,  and   bring  them  up  in  tlie  way  of 
their  duty  to  God,  and  Icfs  concerned  to  deck 
and  let  them  off,  and  provide  things  to  make 

'  them 


II 


t 


(      124      ) 

a  proof  that  he  had  not  outlived  his  fervices. 
His  foul  overflowed  with  love  to  God  and  man,' 
and  being  favoured  in  his  laft  moments,  with 
a  blefTed  hope  and  confidence,  he  was  going  to 
that  place  which  God  h  d  prepared  for  thofe 
that  love  him,  he  had  a  happy  exit  from  time 
to  eternity,  the  30//6  of  the  third  month,  1745, 
aged  eighty-one. 


li 


A  Tejlimony  from  Ken  net  Montkly^Meeting  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  William  Levis. 

Vy^ILLIAM  LEVIS,ofKennet,inChef^ 
^^  ter  county,  Pennfylvania,  fon  of  Samuel 
Levis,  an  early  fettler  in  Springfield,  in  faid 
county,  was  born  in  Springfield  aforefaid,  about 
the  year  1688,  and  removed  to  Kennet  about 
1718.  By  giving  heed  to  the  meafure  of  grace 
beftowed  upon  him,  he  became  a  ferviceable 
friend  in  the  fociety  in  divers  refpedts ;  was  a 
good  neighbour,  kind  and  open-hearted  to  his 
Iriends,  and  has  left  a  good  report. 

His  laft  ficknefs  was  the  fmall  pox,  which 
was  heavy  upon  him,  but  he  bore  it  with  much 
patience  and  refignation  of  mind  to  the  laft ; 
faying,  that  when  the  diftemper  came  into  the 
houfe,  it  was  no  furprize  to  him,  for  he  was 
freely  refigned,  and  thankful  he  was  fo,  for  he 
could  not  of  himfelf.  The  fame  evening  he 
was  taken  fick,  he  figned  his  will,  and  remark- 
ed how  good  it  was  to  be  contented  to  bear 
afHiClion.  One  night,  as  thofe  that  watched 
with  him  were  preparing  fomething  for  him  to 

take. 


(     ^25     ) 

t^ke,  he  faid,  *  You  ftiall  fee  your  endeavours 
•  for  me  will  avail  nothing.'     He  continued  in 
a  ftate  of  refignation,  and  appeared  cheerful  in 
the  time  of  his  illnefs.     When  nearer  his  end, 
he  was  concerned  that  others  might  do  their 
duty  faithfully  according  to  the  beft  of  their 
undcrftanding,  faying,  *  I  have  often  thought 
at  other  times  as  at  this,  of  the  fliortneff  of 
our  lives  and  time  here,  and  the  uncertainty 
thereof,  which  ought  to  engage  us  to  circum- 
fpedion  and  f^uthfulnefs  to  the  Lord;  2nd  I 
charge  you  here  that  are  elders,  to  difcharc^e 
your  truft  faithfully  in  the  fight  of  the  Lord, 
having  your  eye  fingle  to  him,  and  let  noth- 
ing of  felf  rule,   and  then  his  work  will  be 
carried  on  in  love  and  patience.      I  could  be 
glad  to  have  an  opportunity  once  more  with 
my  friends,  but  if  I  ftiould  not,  I  would  have 
thofe  prefent,  to  acquaint  them  with  what  I 
have  to  fay,  and  prels  it  home  to  the  elders, 
that  they  may  faithfully  difcharge  their  duty* 
and  acquit  thcmfelves  of  that  charge,  where- 
with they  are  entrufted  ;   and  alfo  that  parents 
of  children  and  heads  of  families,  may  ftith- 
fully  difcharge  that  great  duty  which  is  laid 
upon  them,  not  only  in  being  good  examples 
to  their  children  and  families,  but  alfo  to  be 
concerned  that  they  follow  their  footfte^i?, 
adding,  it  was  a  noble  teftimony  that  God 
gave  of  Abraham,  /  know  him,  that  he  will 
command  his  children  and  his  houJJjold  after  him. 
And  if  parents  were  concerned  to  teach  their 
children,  and   bring  them  up  in  the  way  of 
their  duty  to  God,  and  Icfs  concerned  to  deck 
and  fet  them  off,  and  provide  things  to  make 


them 


(     126     ) 

them  look  great  in  the  world,  it  would  be  of 
far  more  benefit  to  them.  And  my  defire  is, 
that  elders  may  walk  faithfully  as  good  Rew- 
ards, not  only  in  their  own  families,  but  to 
the  flock  which  they  have  the  overfight  of  i 
that  fo  they  may  leave  a  good  favour  to  the 
rifing  and  fucceeding  generation.  I  am  fen- 
fible  that  all  thofe  who  are  rightly  concerned 
for  the  difcipline  and  promotion  of  truth, 
will  meet  with  trials  from  that  libertine  fpi- 
rit,  which  would  lay  all  wafle.  Thefe  will 
fay,  that  religion  confifts  not  in  fiich  fmall 
things;  but  I  have  obferved,  that  one  fmall 
thing  makes  way  for  another,  and  greater 
things  will  take  place ;  and  if  there  is  not  a 
careful  watching  againft  thefe  fmall  things, 
the  eye  that  fhould  be  kept  open  to  fee  the 
evil  of  them,  will  become  darkened.  But 
keep  ye  your  places,  and  labour  in  faithful* 
ncfs  with  fuch,  if  poffible  to  gain  them  ;  but 
if  after  friends  labour,  they  will  not  be  ga- 
thered, friends  will  be  clear  and  have  peace 
in  themfelves  ;  but  a  blaft  w^ill  come  on  fuch 
troublefome  fpirits.  And  as  friends  faith- 
fully maintain  this  their  difcipline,  the  Lord 
will  preferve  them,  but  if  they  negled:  it, 
they  will  furely  fuiter  lofs.*  To  fome  prefent, 
who  had  been  engaged  in  the  fervice  of  vifiting 
families,  he  faid,    *  It  was  a  good  work,  and 

*  defired  it  might  not  be  forgotten.'  At  ano- 
ther time,  being  in  a  weighty  frame  of  mind, 
he  faid,  *  There  is  an  enemy  bufy  to  accufe  the 

*  innocent,  and  prompts  on  the  wicked  in  their 

*  wickednefs.*  Seeing  his  affeflionate  wife 
and  filler,  with  fome  neighbours,  weeping,  he 

laid. 


(     127     ) 

faid,  '  Do  not  weep  for  me,  but  be  you  faith- 

*  ful,   and  we  fhall  meet  again,  for  it  is  the 

*  hardeft  of  all  to  fee  you  weep/ 

The  morning  before  he  died,  he  defired  to 
be  helped  to  the  chamber  where  his  eldefl:  fon 
lay  ill  of  the  fame  diforder,  and  fitting  down 
by  him,  he  charged  his  children  to  be  dutiful 
to  their  mother,  and  have  a  care  of  doing  any 
thing  that  would  be  a  trouble  to  her,  but  mind 
to  take  her  advice,  and  defired  a  blefling  might 
attend  them  ;  adding,  *  My  race  is  almoft  run, 

*  and  I  fhall  lay  down  my  head  in  peace  with 
'  the  Lord;  and  if  you  are  faithful,  (meaning 
'  his  wife  and  children)  and  live  in  the  fear  of 
'  God,  he  will  blefs  you.'  After  fome  time  of 
filence,  he  faid,  *  Farewell  my  fon,  the  Lord 

*  blefs  thee  my  child,  and  thine  after  thee.' 
Being  then  helped  down  ftairs,  he  fat  in  his 
chair,  and  after  a  time  of  filence,  clafped  his 
hands  together,  faying,  with  a  compofed  coun- 
tenance,  'I  blefs  thee,  O  Lord.'  Afterwards 
laying  ftill  in  a  quiet  compofed  frame  of  mind, 
he  grew  weaker  and  weaker,  and  about  the  ninth 
hour  in  the  evening,  departed  without  figh  or 
groan,  like  one  going  to  fleep,  and  we  believe 
in  peace  with  God,  and  unity  with  faithful 
friends. 

He  died  the  1  yti  of  the  fecond  month,  1 747, 
in  the  fifty-ninth  year  of  his  age,  and  was  in- 
terred in  Kennet  burying-ground,  the  19^/6  of 
the  fame  month. 


^  l^ejiimony 


I-' 


(      128      ) 

A  Teftimony  from  Gwynedd  Monthly-Meeting  in 
Pennlylvania,  concerning  Evan  Evans. 

HE  was  born  in  Merionethfliire,  in  the 
Principality  of  Wales,  in  the  year  1684, 
and  came  to  Pennfylvania  with  his  parents,  in 
1698;  under  whom  he  received  a  fober  re- 
ligious education ;  but,  being  early  in  life 
convinced,  that  a  form  of  godlinefs,  without 
the  real  enjoyment  of  the  quickening  principle 
of  grace  and  truth,  would  not  afford  folid  and 
lafting  peace  to  his  foul,  he  therefore  fought 
earnellly  after  it,  and  refigned  his  heart  to  the 
baptizing  power  of  God,  which  fitted  him  for 
eminent  fervices  in  the  church. 

In  his  conftant  attendance  at  our  religious 
meetings,  he  was  a  remarkable  example  of  un- 
afFeded  piety;  for  whilft  he  fat  in  filence,  the 
earneftnefs  wherewith  his  foul  **  wreftled  for 
a  blefling,**  was  obvious  in  the  fteady  engaged 
appearance  of  his  countenance.  He  was  fa- 
voured with  an  excellent  gift  in  the  miniftry, 
which  he  exercifed  in  folemn  dread  and  re- 
verence; and  as  he  always  retained  an  awful 
fenfe  of  appearing  in  public  teftimony,  he  was 
particularly  cautious  and  watchful,  not  to 
prefume  to  fpeak  without  aflurance  of  a  ne- 
cefTity  being  laid  upon  him,  and  equally  care- 
ful to  attend  to  the  continuance  of  it :  and 
therefore  his  "  Preaching  was  not  with  en- 
ticing words  of  man's  wifdom,  but  in  the 
demonftration  of  the  fpirit,  and  of  power.'* 
His  fervice  was  rendered  more  efteftual,  by 
the  diftinguiQiing  marks   which  he  bore,  of 

**  An 


(     129     ) 

"An  Ifraelite  indeed,  in  whom  was  no  guile," 
a  plainnefs  and  fimplicity  of  manner  in  word 
and  deed,  with  a  zeal  feafoned  with  divine 
love;  and  as  he  had  large  experience  in  the 
work  of  regeneration  and  the  myfteries  of  the 
heavenly  kingdom,  as  well  as  the  fnares  of  the 
world,  he  was  thereby  well  qualified  to  ad- 
minifter  to  the  ftates  of  the  people. 

He  travelled  through  many  of  thefe  colonies 
in  the  fervice  of  the  miniftry,  in  company  with 
his  relation  and  dear  friend  John  Evans.    Their 
friendfhip   was   pure,   fervent,  and  lafting   as 
their  lives,    and  their  feparation  a  wound  to 
the  latter,  the  remembrance  of  which  he  ne- 
ver wholly  furvived.     He  alfo  frequently  vi^ 
fited  the  feveral  counties  in  this  province,  and 
more  particularly  many  of  the  adjacent  meet- 
ings in   their  infancy;  wherein  his  unwearied 
labours  of  love  tended   much  to  their  com- 
fort, growth,  and  cftabliftiment  in  the  truth. 
He  was  religioufly  concerned  for  the  fupport 
of  our   Chriftian   difcipline ;    and  as   he   was 
always  diffident  of  himfelf,  he  laboured  faith- 
fully for  the  difcovery  of  truth,  and  a  difpo- 
fition  of  mind  to  embrace  it;  whereby  he  was 
often  enabled  to  lay    **  judgment  to  the  line, 
and   righteoufnefs  to  the  plummet,''  whether 
in  reproof  to  the  obdurate,  or  inftruftion  and 
comfort  to  the  penitent.     In  vifiting  friends 
families  his  fervice  was  great;  for  being  en- 
dued with  a  fpirit  of  difcerning  and  the  autho- 
rity of  truth,  his  advice  was  adapted,  with  great 
propriety  and  advantage,  to  the  particular  ftates 
and  conditions  of  perfons  and  families.     His 
condudt  and    converfation   in    common    life, 

K  adorned 


1^ 


f 


(     130     ) 

adorned  the  dodtrine  he  preached,  being  a  good 
example  of  plainnefs,  moderation,  and  upright- 
nefs  of  heart. 

He  was  abroad  in  the  fervlce  of  truth  when 
attacked  with  his  laft  illnefs ;  and  as  the  dif- 
order  was  flow  and  tedious,  he  attended  feveral 
meetings  in  the  fore  part  thereof;  in  fome  of 
which,  his  lively  powerful  teftimonies  clearly 
manifefted,  that  the  God  of  his  youth,  who 
had  raifed  him  up  an  inftrument  in  his  hand, 
and  on  whom  he  relied  all  his  life,  continued 
to  be  his  ihield  and  fupport  in  the  evening  of 
his  days  and  period  of  life ;  which  was  on  the 
24M  of  the  fifth  month  1747.  He  was  buried 
at  Gwynedd. 


A  Tejlimony  from  Buckingham  Monthly  Meet^ 
ing  in    Pennfylvania,   concerning   Jacob 

HOL    COMBE. 

TTE  was  born  at  or  near  Tiverton  in  Old 
^^  England,  being  a  defcendant  of  friends: 
his  father  died  while  he  was  young,  and  his 
mother  brought  him  up  to  ufeful  learning,  be- 
ing naturally  of  a  quick  and  cheerful  difpo- 
fition,  and  his  capacity  large  and  extenfive. 
The  prime  and  ftrength  of  his  days  was, 
much  of  it,  fpent  in  folly  and  vanity,  until  it 
pleafed  the  Lord  effectually  to  touch  his  heart, 
and  favour  him  with  a  clofe  vifitation  of  his 
blelled  truth,  which  wrought  a  willingnefs  in 
him  to  take  up  the  crofs,  and  fubmit  to  the 
Lord's  righteous  judgments,  whereby  he  came 

to 


(    i3t    ) 

to  witnefs  a  being  redeemed  from  his  former 
converfation,  and  was  often  zealoufly  concern- 
ed to  tell  others,  what  the  Lord  had  done  for 
his  foul.  He  was  frequent  and  diligent  in 
the  exercife  of  his  gift  in  the  miniftry,  which 
was  acceptable;  often  fignifying  he  was  as 
one  born  out  of  due  time.  He  was  zealous 
in  maintaining  the  difcipline  of  the  church, 
wherein  he  was  clear,  and  his  labour  very  help- 
ful and  ferviceable;  very  diligent  in  attending 
meetings  for  worihip  and  difcipline,  wherein  he 
was  exemplary  by  his  fteady  waiting  and  lively 
labour  that  life  might  be  witneffcd. 

\\\  his  laft  illnefs,  which  was  fliort,  he  ap- 
peared cheerful,  patient,  and  refigned;  faying, 

*  There  was  no  cloud  in  his  way,   that  he  was 
'  thankful   he   had    known   his   Redeemer    to 

*  live,  and  redeem  him  from  all  iniquity,  and 
'  that   he   was   well  affured  he   fhould    fee  a 

*  happy  eternity.* 

He  died  the  30th  of  the  fixth  month  1748, 
and  was  buried  at  Buckingham.  A  niinifter 
upwards  of  18  years. 


A  Teftimofiy  from  Gwynedd  Monthly-Meeting 
in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  Alice  Grif- 
fith. 

A  LICE  GRIFFITH,  late  wife  of  Hugh 
-*^  Grirtith,  of  North  Wales  in  the  county 
of  Philadelphia  in  Pennfylvania,  was  one  that 
feared  the  Lord  from  her  vouth,  remarkable 
for  her    modefty  and    plainnefs.      When    (he 

K  2  \vas 


!' 


!? 


* 

I 


tai^'llMHi  llirJIM 


(      132      ) 

was  married  and  fettled,  fhe  demon flrated  a 
religious  concern  for  the  advancement  of  truth 
and  welfare  of  the  profefTors  thereof;  and 
being  a  woman  of  great  integrity  and  up- 
rightnefs  of  heart,  became  very  ferviceable  in 
divers  refpedts;  zealous  for  maintaining  good 
order  and  Chriftian  difcipline  in  the  church. 

She  was  well  qualified  for  that  weiglity  fer- 
vice  of  viliting  families,  having,  at  fuch  op- 
portunities, to  communicate  of  her  own  ex- 
perience, and  tell  what  God  had  done  for  her 
ibul ;  and  under  a  good  degree  of  divine  in- 
fluence, would  often  be  drawn  forth  in  open- 
ing divine  myfteries,  as  if  (he  had  been  in  a 
large  aflembly,  ns  many  witnefles  can  teflify, 
that  have  been  fenfibly  reached,  yea,  baptized 
by  her  religious  vifitsj'at  which  fhe  was  moft- 
ly  full  of  good  matter,  well  adapted  and  fuit- 
able  to  the  different  circumftances  of  indi- 
viduals and  families. 

She  was  often  concerned  to  ftir  up  her 
friends,  to  a  clofe  attendance  of  meetings, 
both  on  iirft  and  other  days,  as  alfo  to  obferve 
the  hour  appointed,  being  herfelf  a  good  ex- 
ample therein,  until  by  old  age  and  infirmity 
of  body  Hie  was  difabled,  which  was  about 
three  years  before  her  removal.  And  not- 
withftanding  the  circumfpedt  life  and  watch- 
ful ftate  (he  was  obferved  to  be  in,  yet  in  the 
time  of  her  weaknefs,  (he  was  vifited  with 
great  difcouragements  and  dejedlions,  as  may 
appear  by  her  following  expreflions. 

At   a  certain   time  (he  was   heard  to   fay, 

*  Lord,  how  long  wilt  thou  withdraw  thyfelf 

*  from  me,  and  not  (licw  for  what  caufe  I  am 

♦  thus 


(     »33     ) 

I  thus  affliaed  ?  I  have  been  acquainted  with 
^  thy  righteous  judgments,  which  were  ever 
^  mixed  with  mercy;  but  now,  my  trouble 
IS  more  than  I  am  well  able  to  bear,  being 
almoft  ready  to  fank.'  Again  was  heard  to 
lay,       Lord,   wherein   have  I  offended  thee - 

♦  M.  r\fa"J^'''y  ^'''  ^  negleded.  that 
^  thou  (houldft  thus  hide  thy  face  from  me  ? 

^  I  ime  was  when  my  hope  in  full  aiTurance  was 
^  to  reft  in  thee,  but  now  I  fear  I  (hall  become 
^  aca(t-away.'  At  another  time  (he  faid. '  What 

<  T^  I,  °"^  *^'^  ^  ^^°"^<^  be  thus  afflitSed. 
.  L°  '  r  ^^^"^  be  ^"y  end  of  my  forrow  ? 
.  ™y/^veet  times  and  opportunities  I  have 
^  had  when  alone,  but  now  am  left  as  in  the 

.  ^a       ff  "^   ^°  ™^^e  one  ftep  forward  left 
1  (tumble J   he  that  once  was  my  guide  has 
now  left  me.'     Again  (aid,  '  I  ftilf  defire  to 
^  be  wijhng  to  fuffer  whilft  in  this  body,  any 
^  thmg  thou  mayefi  pleafe  to  bring  upon  me. 
^   be  the  exercife  of  what  kind  foever,  if  thou 
^  wilt  favour   me  with  thy  living  prefence, 
^  then.  Lord,  (hall  not  any  thing  be  too  near 
or  dear  to  part  with,   or  to  fuffer  for   thv 
^  name-fake.     Yea,   Lord,  if  thou  (hould  fee 

.  u^Vi}°  ^rP''''^  '""^  °^  ""y  ^'gbt  or  hearing, 
^  health  or  fpeech,  let  me  never  murmur,  but 
oh !  give  patience  to  bear  this  inexpre(nble 
exercife  to  the  end.'     One  morning,  after 
caJdng  her  two  daughters,  (he  faid,  *  Put  by 
'^  your  work  my  children,  for  I  have  to  tell 
.  ^?"r  J    ^  g^o"ous  vifitation  the  Lord  was 
•  pleafed  to  favour  me  with.     As  I  was  mak- 
^  ing  my  fupplication  to  him  for  deliverance 
and  redemption  from  my  fore  exercife,  and  to 

K-  3  ♦  obtain 


!S 


ij 


(     134    ) 

*  obtain  refreftiment  to  my  poor  diftrefled  foul, 

*  the  Lord  was  gracioufly  pleafcd  to  anfwer  my 

*  requeft  In  a  fatlsfadory  manner :  he  opened 

*  the  eye  of  my  mind,  to  fee  him  coming  in 

*  his  glory  to  relieve  me  from  my  long  diflrefs. 

*  May    my  whole  truft  and  confidence   ever 

*  abide  in  him,  who  has  fo  filled  my  heart  v/Ith 
'  joy,  that  pain  and  grief  vaniflied  away.  This 

*  glorious  feafon  furpalled  all  that  ever  I  had 

*  known  before:  at  which  time,  the  Lord  gave 
<  me  a  fure  promife,   that,   although   my  af- 

*  flidions  were  many,   and  more  I  had  yet  to 

*  go  through,  yet  I  fliould  in  the  end  be  re- 

*  warded  with  a  crown  of  righteoufnefs  in  the 

*  kingdom  of  reft  and  peace;'  with  more  to 
the  fame  effeft. 

It  was  obferved,  that  a  certain  change  ap- 
peared in  her  countenance  from  that  time  for- 
w^ard;  file  being  cheerful  and  pleafant,  and 
never  fad  as  before. 

Her  deceafe  was  on  the  firft  day  of  the  fe- 
cond  month  1749,  and  was  buried  on  the 
third  of  the  fame. 


A  Ttjlimony  fro?n  Friends  in  Virginia,  concern- 
ing Sarah  Pleasants. 


s 


ARAH  PLEASANTS,  fourth  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  Plealants,  was  taken  ill 
the  2bth  of  the  fcventh  month,  and  departed 
this  life  the  jtho(  the  eighth  month  1749,  in 
the  feventeenth  year  of  her  age.  In  the  time 
of  her  illnefs,  ihe  called  to  fevural  perfons  then 

prefent. 


(     13s     ) 

prefent,  to  view  her  blooming  youth,  how 
changed,  and  likely  in  a  fhort  time  to  bid 
adieu  to  the  world  and  all  its  enjoyments; 
praying  that  the  moment  (he  was  prepared  (lie 
might  go ;  but  in  a  particular  manner,  flie  de- 
fired  the  phyfician  who  attended  her,  to  ob- 
ferve  the  frailty  of  poor  mortals,  as  well  as  the 
uncertainty  of  time  In  this  life,  faying,  '  Look 

*  on  me,  dodlor,  I  am  like  a  bud  cropt  from  the 
'  vine  before  it  is  fully  blown,  yet  young  as 

*  I  am,  I  have  fomething  to  repent  of,  which 
'  in  health  and  ftrength  we  are  apt  to  overlook, 

*  and   flatter  ourfelves  is  no  crime,  which  is, 
'  I  have  been  too  much  given  to  laughter  and 

*  jefting  with  thofe  of  my  companions  who 

*  fondly  embraced  and  returned  the  fame :' 
naming  one  in  particular,  whom  flie  ex- 
preflTed  a  great  defire  to  fee  before  (lie  died, 
that  fhe  might  warn  her  of  the  weight  ihe  now 
felt,  not  only  in  thefe  two  things,  but  in  a 
third,  which  was,  taking  too  much  delight 
in  drefs.  Then  dlrefting  her  difcourfe  to  the 
doftor,    (lie    laid,    *    Nothing  elfe    have    I  to 

*  charge  myfelf  with,  yet,  dear  dodor,  I  find 

*  it  enough,  therefore  let  me  prevail  with  thee 

*  to  take  warning  by  me.     I  am  fenfible  that 
'  fome  things  thou  art  in  the  pradice  of,  are 

*  full  as  dangerous,  if  not  more  fo,  than  thofe 

*  which   now   lay   fo   heavy  on  me  ;    that  of 

*  drinking  to  excefs  to  oblige  company,  as  thy 

*  excufe  and  many  others   is,   yet  thou    wilt 

*  find  it  of  greater  weight  when  thou  comes 

*  to  lay  in  the   condition    I  now  am  in,  than 

*  now    thou   may  think  poflible.     Thou  wilt 
'  furely  wifh  it  had  been  left  undone,  with  all 

K  4  *  other 


4 


U 


^MSSiiMl^^^k^. 


(  136  ) 

*  other  unprofitable  things.'  The  doctor  re- 
plied weeping,  *  I  take  it  very  kind,  and  hope 

*  I  fhall  obferve  it/  Many  more  good  ex- 
prelfions  and  advice  fhe  dropt  to  him  and 
others  then  about  her. — She  one  day  called 
her  brother  Thomas  to  her  bed-fide,  and  faid 
to  him,  '  Dear  brother,    I  know  thy  fituation 

*  to  be  very  lonelbme,  and  deftitute  of  fuitable 
'  company  :  notwithftanding,  I  pray  thee,  keep 

*  as  much  as  poffible  out  of  low  company,  not 

*  the  poor  do  I  mean,  becaufe  they  are  poor, 

*  but  the  loofe  and  vulgar,   whether  poor  or 

*  rich,  which  are  of  a  corrupting  fpirit,  and 
'  will  tend  to  the  hurt  of  thofe  who  aflbciate 

*  with   them;   but  keep   thy  place,  and  thou 

*  wilt  be  like  a  light  fet  on  a  hill,  as  a  guide 

*  to  others,  who  will   praife  God  on  thy  be* 

*  half/ 


^  Tejmony  from  Gwynedd  Monthly-Meeting 
in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  William 
Trotter. 

/^UR  friend  William  Trotter,  late  of  Ply- 
^^  mouth  in  the  county  of  Philadelphia,  fon 
of  William  Trotter,  was  born  in  the  fourth 
month  1695,  of  religious  parents,  and  was 
educated  amongft  friends;  as  he  grew  in  years, 
he  was  blefled,  in  that  he  grew  in  grace,  and 
in  the  fear  and  knowledge  of  our  bklfed  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jefus  Chrift.  About  the  twenty- 
firll:  year  of  his  age,  he  received  a  gift  in  the 
miniftry,  in  which  he  was  frequently  exercifed 

during 


(  137  ) 
during  the  courfe  of  his  life.  His  miniftry 
was  found  and  favoury,  attended  with  a  good 
degree  of  that  life  and  power  **  by  which  the 
dead  are  raifed,  and  without  which  all  preach- 
ing is  vain."  He  was  not  tedious  or  burden- 
fome,  but  often  very  reaching  and  edifying  to 
his  hearers.  In  his  life  and  converfation  he 
was  grave,  yet  innocently  cheerful,  and  ftridly 
juft  in  his  dealings,  alfo  a  lover  and  promoter  of 
peace,  unity,  and  brotherly  love  amongft  friends, 
of  which  himfelf  was  a  good  pattern.  He  was 
generally  beloved  during  his  life,  and  at  his  death 
left  a  good  favour.  His  removal  from  time  to 
a  happy  eternity,  though  certainly  his  greateft 
gain,  was  a  confiderable  lofs  to  the  meeting 
where  he  belonged.  He  departed  this  life  on 
the  19//6  of  the  tenth  month  1749,  aged  about 
fifty-three  years  and  i\^  months,  and  was  in- 
terred on  the  2iy?  of  the  fame  month,  in 
friends  burying-ground  at  Plymouth ;  and  we 
believe  he  is  gone  from  his  laborious  fervice^ 
here,  to  receive  a  heavenly  reward  of  peace, 
"  Where  the  wicked  ceafe  from  troubling, 
and  the  weary  be  at  reft." 


A  Tejlimony  from  Salem    Monthly-Meeting  in 
New-Jerfey,   concer?iing  Elizabeth 

W  y  A  T  T. 

PLIZABETH  WYATT  (wife  of  Bartholo- 
-"-^  mew  Wyatt)  a  minifter,  removed  by  mar- 
riage, within  the  limits  of  our  monthly-meet- 
ing, in  the  year  1730,  as  appears  by  her  certi- 
ficate 


I 


(  138  ) 

ficate  from  Haddonfield  monthly- meeting. 
Her  teftimony  was  large  and  edifying,  found 
in  word  and  doctrine,  to  the  comfort  of  the 
humble-minded  amongfl:  us;  yet  (he  was  a 
fharp  threfhing  inflrument  in  the  hand  of  the 
Lord,  againft  the  backfliders  and  unfaithful 
profefTors  of  truth. 

Her  labours  were  not  confined  to  this  meet- 
ing, but  it  pleafed  the  great  Lord  of  the  har- 
veft  to  fend  her  forth  in  his  fervice  into  other 
provinces  on  this  continent,  as  Pennfylvania, 
Maryland,  Virginia,  North-Carolina,  New- 
England,  Rhode-Ifland,  Long- Ifland,  &c.  in 
all  which  (he  had  good  fervice  for  truth,  as 
appears  by  certificates  produced  to  this  meet- 
ing. She  was  exemplary  in  life  and  conver- 
fation,  adorning  the  doftrine  (he  had  to  de- 
liver; and  was  in  good  efteem  amongft  her 
friends  and  neighbours.  It  pleafed  God  to 
take  her  oif  the  ftage  of  this  world,  on  the 
zotb  of  the  eleventh  month  1749-50,  aged 
forty-three  years.  It  may  be  obferved,  that 
about  three  years  of  her  time,  her  refidence 
with  her  hu(band  and  family  was  at  Phila- 
delphia, to  the  fatisfaftion  of  friends  there,  as 
appears  by  certificate  from  thence. 

Her  name  before  marriage  was  Tomlinfon, 
(lie  firft  appeared  in  public  teftimony  at  Evef- 
ham-meeting  in  New-Jerfey,  while  (he  lived 
at  the  houfe  of  our  friends  William  and  Eliza- 
beth Evans,  which  was  about  four  years  be- 
fore her  marriage.     Befides  what  is  truly  faid 

of 


(     139     ) 

of  her  above,  it  may  be  juftly  added,  that  her 
capacity,  qualifications,  and  improvements  were 
fuperior  to  moft,  and  that  (he  polTeflTed  a  cheer- 
fulnefs  of  temper,  joined  with  great  difcretion, 
which  rendered  her  company  very  defirable  and 
profitable. 


A  Te/limonyfrom  Gwynedd  Monthly -Meeting  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  Ann  Roberts. 

SHE  was  convinced  of  the  truth  In  her  na- 
tive country,  Wales,  when  young,  which 
incurred  her  father's  heavy  difpleafure,  but  in 
time  he  became  reconciled  to  her.    Some  years 
after  her  convincement,    (he  came  over  into 
this  country,  where  (he  received  a  gift  in  the 
miniftry,  and  by  a  diligent  improvement  there- 
of, together  with  the  influence  of  a  pious  life, 
(he  was  made  ufeful  in  her  generation,  and  a 
ble(ring   to  many.     Her  love  and  compa(rion 
for   the  widow,   the   fatherlefs,  and   others  in 
afflidion,  appeared  by  her  often  vifiting  them : 
She  was  one  of  the  wife  in  heart,  who  was  fa- 
voured to  forefee  the  enemy  in  his  approaches, 
and  would  roufe  and  excite  her  fellow-foldiers 
to  ufe  their  utmoft  endeavours  to  repel  his  at- 
tempts, which  was  often  done  with  defirable 
fuccefs.     She  was  alfo  zealoufly  concerned  for 
maintaining  Chriftian  difcipline  in  the  church. 
She  was   rightly   qualified  for   the   weighty 
fervice  of  vifiting  friends  families,  and  at  tho(e 
opportunities    was    frequently   favoured    with 
fomething  iuitable  to  every  ftate  and  condition, 

which 


I,  i- 


(     HO     ) 

which  was  attended  with  beneficial  efFeds,  ef- 
pecially  on  the  youth.  But  fuch  indeed'was 
the  divine  favour  which  ufually  accompanied 
her  difcourie  and  converfation,  one  could  rare- 
ly be  an  hour  with  her  without  fenfible  edifi- 
cation. 

Her  firft:  coming  to  refide  among  us  was  fea- 
fonable,  for  we  having  but  few  minifters,  the 
field   before  her  was  extenfive,  in  which  fhe 
laboured  fervently,  tenderly  inviting  thofe  afar 
off  to  draw  nigh,    and  querying  with   them, 
whether  they  knew  what  the  Lord  had  for  them 
to  do.  By  the  vifitations  of  heaven,  and  a  blef- 
fing  on  her  labours,  many  came  to  have  their 
mouths  opened  to  fpeak  of  God's  goodnefs  to 
their  fouls;    whereby  was  verified,  what  flie 
had  declared  at  our  meeting  before  Hie  came 
to  dwell  among  us,  though  it  then  feemed  im- 
probable, and  fome  doubted  the  accomplifh- 
ment  thereof.    To  thefe  babes  in  the  miniftry, 
fhe  who  had  a  large  (hare  of  experience  in  the 
work,  was  not  wanting  to  adminifler  fuitable 
precaution  and  advice. 

She  went  pretty  much  abroad,  vifiting  friends 
in  this  and  the  adjacent  provinces,  to  wit,  the 
Jerfeys,  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  Carolina,  ac- 
companied to  the  remoteft  parts  by  her  near  and 
dear  friend  Sufanna  Morris.  In  her  more  ad- 
vanced years  fhe  vifited  Great-Britain,  accom- 
panied by  our  efteemed  friend  Mary  Pennel, 
between  whom  a  near  and  ftricft  union  was 
preferved  throughout  their  travels ;  and  fhe 
brought  home  very  clear  and  comfortable  ac- 
counts of  her  acceptable  fervice  in  the  gofpel 
miniflry,  and  her  godly  converfation  in  Chrift. 

After 


(     141     ) 

After  her  return  from  Grcat-Britain,  flie 
met  with  great  difficulties  in  refped  to  her 
outward  circumflances,  which  fhe  fuflained 
with  Chriflian  fortitude.  A  near  friend  of 
hers  afking  her  how  fhe  felt  under  it,  fhe  re- 
plied, *  While  I  keep  my  eye  fteadily  direfted 

*  to  the  objedl  worthy  of  our  chief  regard,  it 
'  feems  as  if  a  v/all  was  on  each  fide ;  all  is 
'  calm,  and  nothing  hurts  or  annoys  :    But  if 

*  I  fuff'er  my  eye  to  wander  to  the  right  hand 

*  or  the  left,  the  enemy   breaks  in   upon  me 
'  like  a  torrent,  which  hurries  me  away,  and 
'  it  is  with  great  difficulty  I  recover  myfelf/ 
After  this,  fhe  met  with  a  very  heavy  affiidiori 
in  the  lofs  of  her  hufband,  which  fhe  likewife 
bore  with  becoming  refignation  and  compofure 
of  mind.     In  a  few  months   afterwards,  fhe 
fell  into  a  lingering  diforder  (the  dropfy) ;  and 
as  in  time  of  health  fhe  preferred  the  profperity 
of  truth  to  her  chief  joy,  fo  in  her  iUnefs  fhe 
rejoiced  much   to  hear  of  any  young  people 
appearing  hopeful  in   the  miniftry.     On   the 
other  hand,  fhe  would,  even  in  the  time  of 
great  weaknefs,  lament  with  anxiety  of  mind 
the  low  fituation  of  the  feed,  and  fay.   Oh  »' 
what  will  become  of  us  ?  Will  this  dark  cloud, 
which  hangs  over  our  afl'emblies,  terminate  in 
a  boiflerous  fiorm  to  try  the  foundations  of  the 
children  of  men } 

By  the  long  continuance  of  her  diforder,  fhe 
was  reduced  to  great  weaknefs  fometime  before 
her  end;  yet  it  was  evident,  that  charity,  (to 
wit)  love  to  God  and  his  people,  continued 
with  her  to  the  lafl. 

She 


(       142       ) 

She  died  on  the  ^th  day  of  the  fourth  month, 
1750,  in  the  feventy- third  year  of  her  age, 
having  been  a  minifter  50  years,  and  was  bu- 
ried at  Gwynedd  aforefaid;  on  which  folemn 
occafion  we  had  a  good  meeting,  the  extend- 
ings  of  divine  love  being  witneffed. 


A  Tejiimony  from  Wilmington  Monthly-Meet^ 
ing  in  the  county  of  Newcaftle  on  Delaware, 
concerning  Lydia  Dean. 

SHE  was  the  daughter  of  Jofeph  Gilpin,  of 
Birmingham  in  Chefter  county,   Pennfyl- 
vania;  was  born  the  1 1  th  of  the  eleventh  month, 
1698,  and  married  to  William  Dean  of  the 
aforefaid  place  in  1722.     In  the  year  1728,  flic 
appeared  in  the  miniftry,  much  in  the  crofs, 
which  was  manifeft  by  her  brokennefs  of  heart 
and  contrition  of  fpirit  under  the  weight  there- 
of.    And  as  flie  became  willing  to  give  up  all 
for  the  caufe  of  truth,  the  Lord  in  his  own 
time  made  her  a  living  minifter  of  the  everlaft- 
ing  gofpel ;  in  the  excrcife  whereof,  flie  was 
drawn  to  vifit  friends  in  New-England,  Jerfey, 
and   Maryland.     Her  miniftry  was   plain  and 
powerful,    often   fpeaking   particularly   to  the 
flates  of  meetings  where  her  lot  was  caft  ;  her 
converllition    folid,  weighty,    and   grave,    be- 
coming  the  gofpel  of  Chrift  ;  and  very  helpful 
to  thofe  who  ftood  in  need.     Her  place  of  a- 
bode  was  at  Birmingham  aforefaid,  until  about 
a  year  before  her  deceafe,  when  the  family  re- 
moved to   Wilmington  ;    where  flie  had  the 

exercife 


(  H3  ) 
exercife  of  parting  with  feveral  of  her  children, 
who  were  taken  away  by  death;  which  rtie 
bore  with  patience  and  great  refignation  to  the 
will  of  Divine  Providence,  expreffing  a  fenfe 
Ihe  had  of  her  own  diffolution  being  nigh. 
And  being  engaged  with  friends  who  were  vil 
fiting  families  belonging  to  this  monthly-meet- 
ing, flie  was  taken  fick,  and  her  illnefs  increaf- 
ing,  flie  faid,  the  day  before  flie  died,  '  It  was 
'  the  joyfuUeft  day  flie  ever  had.' 

Thus  having  paiTed  the  time  of  her  fojourn- 

^^^■^W  '"  ^  2°°^^  ^^^'^^  °f  go'^ly  fear,  flie 
hniflied  her  courle,  and  is  gone  (we  doubt  not) 

into  the  manfions  of  undifturbed  reft:. 

She  departed  this  life  the  2d  of  the  tenth 
month,  1750,  and  was  interred  in  friends  bu- 
rying-ground  at  Wilmington,  aged  fifty- two, 
a  minifter  22  years. 


A  Te/limony  from  Richland  Monthly- Meeting 
in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  Thomas  Lak- 

CASTFR. 


A  BOUT  ten  years  of  the  latter  part  of  his 
time,  he  was  a  member  of  this  meeting  • 
he  was  lound  in  the  miniftry,  and  exercifed 
his  gift  therein  with  great  fervency  and  zeal, 
nis  life  and  converlation  correfponding  there- 
with. In  the  fecond  month,  1750,  he  laid 
belore  our  meeting  his  concern  to  vifit  friends 
on  the  ifl.mds  of  Barbadoes  and  Tortola,  which 
the  meeting  approved  of,  and  gave  him  a  certi- 
facate  in  orucr  thereto :  Towards  the  latter  end  of 

the 


(     144    ) 

the  fame  year  he  performed  faid  vifit,  and  had  good 
fervice  there,  as  appeared  by  certificates  from 
friends  on  each  fide  of  the  faid  iflands.  On  his 
return  homewards,  it  pleafed  Divine  Providence 
to  vifit  him  with  ficknefs,  of  which  he  died  at 
fea  J  his  removal  being  deeply  felt  and  lament- 
ed by  his  family  and  Iriends  at  home. 


A  Hejlimony  from  friends  in  Virginia,  concern- 
ing William  Ladd. 

WILLIAM  LADD,  fon  of  John  and 
Mary  Ladd,  both  from  Old-England, 
was  born  near  Curies  in  Virginia,  in  the  fixth 
month,  1679,  and  about  the  time  of  his  mar- 
riage he  removed  to  Wainoak,  became  a  mem- 
ber of  that  meeting,  and  refided  there  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  He  had  an  acceptable 
gift  in  the  miniftry,  and  was  a  great  fufFerer 
for  bearing  a  teftimony  againft  the  hireling 
minifters.  In  one  inftance,  a  very  exorbitant 
feizure  was  made  upon  his  effeds,  yet  he  lived 
to  fee  the  officer  who  made  it  reduced  to  luch 
low  circumftances,  that  he  charitably  contri- 
buted to  fupply  his  neceffities.  He  continued 
a  faithful  fufFerer  to  the  end  of  his  days,  en- 
coura<»ing  his  children  to  faithfulnefs,  faying, 
«  The  truth  is  more  to  me,  than  my  all  in  this 
,  world.'— The  night  of  his  deceafe,  one  of 
the  family  faying,  '  This  was  to  be  a  night  of 
«  crreat  forrow  to  them,'  he  replied,  '  It  was 
'  a  night  of  great  joy  to  him,'  which  was  one 
of  the  laft  of  his  expreffions.— He  died  the 


(     145     ) 
O.'jth  of  the  ninth  month,   1751,  and  was  bu- 
ried in   the  family  burying-ground  near   his 
own  houfe,  aged  feventy-two,  and  a  minifter 
about  2j  years. 


A  Tejlimony  from  the  Mo?ithly- Meeting  ^Phi- 
ladelphia, concerning  Israel  Pemberton. 

TJTE  was  born  in   the  county  of  Bucks   in 
■*•-■'  Pennfylvania,  in  the  year  1684,  being  de* 
fcended  of  pious  parents,  well  efteemed  among 
friends  in  the  firft  fettlement  of  this  province. 
He  ferved  his  apprenticefhip  and  fettled  in  this 
city.     Having  chofen  the  fear  of  the  Lord  in 
his  youth,  and  being  preferved  therein,  he  ef- 
tabliflied  and  fupported  an  unblemifhed   cha- 
rafter,   by  his  jullice,  integrity,  and  upright- 
nefs  in  his  dealings  amongft  men,  and  his  mild, 
ilcady,  and  prudent  conduct  through  life.    He 
was  a  member  of  this  meeting  near  fifty  years, 
and  being  well  grounded  in  the  principles  of 
truth,  of  found  Judgment  and  underftanding, 
he  approved  himfelf  a  faithful  elder;   adorning 
our  holy  profeflion  by  a  life  of  meeknefs,  hu- 
mility, circumfpcftion,  and  a  difinterefted  re- 
gard to  the  honour  of  truth  ;  of  great   ufe  in 
the  cxercife  of  our  difcipline,  being  a  lover  of 
peace  and  unity  in  the  church,  careful  to  pro- 
mote and  maintain  it;   conftant  in  the  atten- 
dance of  meetings,  and  his  deportment  therein, 
grave,   folid,  and   reverent,  and  a  true  fympa- 
thizer  with  thofe  who  were  honeftly  concerned 
in  the  miniftry  ;  a  confpicuous  example  of  mo- 

L  deration 


(     146     ) 

deration  and  plainnefs  ;  extenfivein  his  charftv, 
and  of  great  benevolence.  In  converfation 
cheerful,  attended  with  a  peculiar  fweetnefs  of 
difpofition,  which  rendered  his  company  both 
agreeable  and  inftrudive. 

A  few  days  before  his  deceafe,  being  in  a 
free  converfe  with  two  of  his  friends  whom  he 
much  loved  and  refpefted,  he  took  occafion  to 
recount  many  occurrences  of  his  life,  and  with 
a  great  fenfe  of  gratitude,  to  exprefs  the  lively 
remembrance  he  retained  of  the  merciful  ex- 
tendings  of  divine  love  towards  him  in  his 
youth,  by  the  continuance  whereof  he  had 
been  enabled  to  pcrfevere  in  a  confcientious 
difcharge  of  his  religious  duties  to  the  beft  of 
his  knowledge ;  and  that  being  ftill  favoured 
with  a  degree  of  the  fame  love,  it  was  his 
greateft  comfort  in  his  declining  years. 

His  death  was  fudden,  though  not  altoge- 
ther  unexpeded,  having  been  at  intervals,  fre- 
quently afFefted  with  a  dizzinefs  in  his  head  • 
and  feveral  times  fo  as  to  deprive  him  of  his 
ipeech. 

He  was  very  lively  and  pleafant  the  morning 
before  his  departure,  and  in  the  afternoon  went 
to  the  burial  ot  an  acquaintance,  and  accom- 
panied the  corps  to  the  grave-yard,  where  he 
was  leized  with  a  fit,  fuppofed  to  be  of  the 
apopledick  kind,  and  expired  in  about  an  hour- 
being  the  igti  of  the  firft  month,  17c a.,  and 
was  buried  on  the  zzd  of  the  fame  month,  in 
the  fixty-ninth  year  of  his  age. 


ji  ^ejlimony 


(    H7    'J 

A  Tcftimony  from  Haddonfield  Monthly ^Meet^ 
ing  in  New- Jerfey,  cojtcerning  H  a  n  n  a  u 
Cooper. 

/^UR  well  eftcemed  friend  Hannah  Cooper, 
^^  was  born  in  Wenfleydale  in  Yorkfhire,  Great 
Britain,  and  arrived  at  Philadelphia  in  the  year 
1732,  on  a  religious  vifit  to  friends  in  America, 
and   performing   that  fervice,    was  afterwards 
married  to  our  friend  Jofeph  Cooper,  a  mem- 
ber of  this  monthly-meeting,  where  ihe  refid- 
ed  the  moft  of  the  remaining  part  of  her  life, 
except  when  flie  was  called  abroad  in  truth's 
fervice,  in  which  Ihe  travelled  much  in  the  fore 
part  of  her  time^   but  as  (he  grew  in  years,  Ihe 
was  under  great  indifpofition  of  body,  and  io 
continued  the  moft  of  her  time,  which  unfit- 
ted her  for  travelling. 

She  was  indeed  a  living  minifter,  an  humble 
tender-hearted  friend,  a  true  fympathizer  with 
thofe  in  afflidion  ;  and  as  a  nurfing  mother  to 
thofe  that  were  young  in  the  miniftry,  her 
fervice  was  truly  very  acceptable,  and  her  me- 
mory ftill  remains  as  a  fweet  favour. 

Near  the  conclufion  of  her  time,  Ihe  defired 
thofe  then  prefent,  *Not  to  mourn  for  her,  for 
that  ftie  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  die.'  She  de- 
parted this  life,  the  nth  of  the  fecond  month 
1754,  and  we  hope  enjoys  that  unmixed  felicity 
which  will  never  have  an  end. 

Her  name  before  marriage  was  Dent.  She 
received  a  gift  in  the  miniftry  when  young, 
and  travelled  in  that  fervice  in  feveral  parts  of 

L  2  England 


•^ 


(     148     ) 
England  before  (he  came  to  America.  In  1739, 
having  our  friend  Mary  Foulke  for  a  compa- 
nion,   flie  took  fhipping  for   Barbadocs,  and 
after  vifiting  friends  and  others  on  that  ifland, 
went  from  thence  toRhode-Ifland,  from  whence 
ihe  returned  home.— The  following  teftimony 
concerning  her  hufband,  whom  fhe  furvived 
feveral  years,  is  from  the  fame  monthly-meet- 
ing, of  which  he  was  divers  years  an  elder,  viz. 
Our  well  efteemed  friend  Jofeph  CoopeV  de^ 
€eafed,  was  born  in  New^town  in  the  county  of 
Gloucefter,  New-Jerfey.     He  was  an  exem- 
plary friend,    and   ferviceable  amongft  us  in 
many  refpefts ;  was  generally  well  refpefted, 
careful  to  rule  well  his  own  houfe.     He  de- 
parted  this  life,  about  the  ly?  of  the  eighth 
month,   1749,  having  exprefTed  a  little  before. 
That  he  had  done  juftly,  loved  mercy,  and 
*  hoped  he  had  been  careful  to  walk  humbly.' 


A  TeJIimony  from  the  Monthly-Meeting  ^Phi- 
ladelphia, concerning  Michael  Light- 
foot. 

HE  came  over  from  Ireland  with  his  fa- 
mily, and  fettled  in  this  province,  in 
the  beginning  of  the  year  17 12,  and  was  called 
to  the  mmiftry  about  the  year  1725,  and  the 
forty-lecond  year  of  his  age.  Being  faithful 
m  the  exercife  of  his  gift,  he  became  zealoufly 
concerned  for  the  honour  of  truth,  and  the 
promotion  thereof;  and  in  this  fervice  per- 
formed a  religious  vifit  to  friends  in  Great-Bri- 
tain 


(     149     ) 

tain  and  Ireland;  from  whence  we  received 
very  fatisfaftory  and  comfortable  accounts  of 
his  labours.  He  likewife  vilited  friends  in 
New-England ;  and  in  the  year  1753,  he  tra- 
velled on  the  fame  account  in  the  fouthera 
provinces. 

He  was  a  member  of  this  meeting  the  laft 
eleven  years  of  his  life  ;  being  of  a  grave  and 
folid  deportment,  and  an  example  of  plainnefs 
and  temperance,  was  much  efteemed  amongft 
us.  His  miniftry  was  deep  and  penetrating, 
attended  with  the  demonftration  of  the  fpirit 
and  power  ;  under  the  influence  whereof  he 
was  frequently  led  to  unfold  the  myfteries  of 
the  kingdom,  and  eminently  qualified  to  fet 
forth  the  excellencies  of  the  gofpel  difpenfation, 
with  the  benefit  and  advantage  of  inward  and 
fpiritual  worfhip ;  recommending  diligent  at- 
tendance on  the  fpirit  of  truth,  for  inftrudlion 
and  affiftance  therein.  His  delivery  was  clear, 
diftind:,  and  intelligible,  and  in  fupplication 
humble  and  reverent.  He  was  likewife  well 
gifted  in  difclpline,  and  often  concerned  to 
fpeak  in  thofe  meetings  to  our  edification  and 
comfort. 

He  departed  this  life,  on  the  3^  day  of  the 
twelfth  month,  1754,  after  a  (hort  ficknefs, 
in  the  feventy-firit  year  of  his  age,  and  29/^ 
of  his  miniftry. 


A  T'ejlimony 


H 


'(     ISO    ) 

A  Tejiimony  from  Hopewell  Monthly^Meeting 
in  Virginia,  concerning  Evan  Thomas. 

E  was  born  in  Wales,  and  educated  in 
profeffion  with  the  church  of  England  ^ 
but  in  his  tender  years,  joined  in  fociety  with 
friends  i  and  proving  faithful  to  the  gift  and 
meafure  of  grace  beftowed  upon  him,  by  the 
great  giver  of  every  good  and  perfedt  gift,  he 
came  to  be  early  engaged  in  the  work  of  the 
ITiiniftry,  and  was  a  ferviceable  inftrument; 
being  alfo  a  preacher  in  life  and  converfation, 
remarkably  meek,  humble,  and  grave  in  his 
deportment,  He  was  zealous  for  the  honour 
of  God,  and  promotion  of  his  bleflcd  truth 
^nd  ferviceable  among  friends,  being  one  of 
the  firft  fettlers  in  thefe  parts,  and  a  conftant 
attender  of  our  meetings  whilft  in  health.  He 
died  in  a  very  ferene  frame  of  fpirit,  on  the  Lth 
day  of  the  fecond  month,  1755,  aged  about 
ieverity  years,  ^ 


i 


4  Tejiimony  from  Duck-Creek  Monthly-Meetlng 
tn  Kent  county  on  Delaware,  concerning  Wil^ 

IIAM  HaMMANS. 

HE  was  born  in  Old  England,  in  the  year 
1683,  and  educated  in  the  profeffion  of 
the  church  of  England  j  but  as  he  grew  up, 
he  became  uneafy  with  the  ways  and  ceremo- 
nies thereof;  and  being  a  diligent  feeker  after 
the  true  way  of  worfhip,  in  a  Aort  time  joined 

with 


' 


-  (  151  ) 

with  friends.  Soon  after  which,  he  left  his  na- 
tive country,  being  but  a  young  man,  although 
married,  and  coming  over  to  Pennfylvania, 
fettled  in  Chefter  county,  and  after  fome  time, 
received  a  gift  in  the  miniflry  ^  by  keeping  low 
and  humble,  and  attending  thereto,  he  became 
an  able  miniiter,  having  a  particular  gift  in 
quoting  the  fcriptures,  and  explaining  them 
clearly  to  the  underftandings  of  the  people. 
About  the  year  1738,  he  removed  within  the 
limits  of  our  monthly-meeting,  where  his  fer- 
vice  was  very  confiderable,  being  well  qualified 
for  the  difcipline  of  the  church,  and  very  ex- 
emplary in  attending  meetings  both  for  wor- 
fhip and  difcipline,  and  an  humble  waiter 
therein.  Divers  within  the  bounds  of  our 
monthly-meeting  were  convinced  by  his  mi- 
niflry, and  others,  who  had  been  convinced  be- 
fore, were  thereby  further  confirmed  in  the 
truth  of  the  gofpel. 

Living  in  a  public  place,  he  had  much  of 
friends  company,  whom  he  was  very  hearty  in 
entertaining,  and  fo  continued  to  the  end  of 
his  time  ;  and  departed  this  life,  the  ^th  day 
of  the  fourth  month,  1755,  in  the  feventy- 
fecond  year  of  his  age.  On  the  11/^  of  the 
faid  month,  was  interred  in  friends  burying- 
ground  at  Duck-Creek. 


L4 


A  Tejiimony 


bi 


(       152       ) 

A  ^ejiimony  from  Richland  Monthly-Meeting 
in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  Susannah 
Morris. 

A  S  the  reviving  and  tranfmitting  to  pofterity, 
•^  ^  the  memory  of  the  righteous  and  faithful 
fervants  of  God,  efpecially  thofe  worthy  elders 
who  are  to  be  highly  efteemed  and^  loved  for 
their  work's  fake,  may  be  conducive  to  the 
promotion    of  truth,    the  comfort    and   edi- 
fication of  the  living,  and  to  encourage  the 
imitation  of  their  pious   examples  ;    we    are 
concerned  to  give  forth  this    teftimony  con- 
cerning   our    ancient    and     worthy    deceafed 
friend  Sufannah    Morris,    late    wife  of  Mor- 
ris Morris,  who  was  a  member  of  our  month- 
ly-meeting  near   fifteen    years    of    the    latter 
part  of  her   time.     Her  memory    ftill    lives, 
and  yields  a  precious  favour  to  thofe  who  are 
meafur.ibly  fharers  of  that  divine  love  and  life 
with  which  fhe  in  an  eminent  degree  was  en- 
dowed, and  was  frequently  made  an  inftrument 
to  communicate  it  to  others,   by  a  living  and 
powerful  minirtry ;  in  which  ilie  faithfully  la- 
boured with  unwearied  diligence  both  at  home 
and  abroad,  for  the   fpace  of  forty  years  and 
upwards,  having  travelled  much  in  the  fervice 
of  the  gofpel  both    in    America  and  Europe, 
made  three  voyages  over  the  feas  to  vifit  the 
meetings  of  friends  in  Great-Britain,  and  twice 
through  Ireland  and  Holland.     In  which  voy- 
ages, and  travels,   the  gracious  arm  of  Divine 
Providence  was  evidently  manifefted,  in  pre- 
ferving  and  fupporting  her  through  divers  re- 
markable 


I 


\ 


.'•• 


(  153  ) 

markable  perils  and  dangers,  which  fhe  ever 
reverently  remembered  and  gratefully  acknow-- 
ledged. 

Her  life  and  converfation  was  innocent  and 
agreeable,  feafoned  with  Chriftian  gravity ;  was 
a  bright  example  of  plainnefs,  temperance,  and 
felf-denial;  devoted  to  the  fervice  of  truth,  and 
the  propagating  of  religion  and  piety  amongft 
mankind.  In  which  ardent  love  and  zeal  ftie 
continued,  until  it  pleafed  her  great  Lord  and 
Mafter  in  his  wifdom  to  put  a  period  to  all  her 
pious  labours  and  travels,  and  to  take  her  to 
himfelf,  as  a  (hock  of  corn  gathered  in  due 
feafon,  after  a  (hort  illnefs  of  nine  days  conti- 
nuance :  within  which  time,  on  a  firft  day  of 
the  week,  friends  at  her  requeft,  held  an  even- 
ing meeting  in  her  room,  wherein  fhe  was 
wonderfully  ftrengthened  to  bear  a  lively  tefti- 
mony to  the  everlafting  truth ;  fetting  forth 
the  ground-work  of  true  religion  and  divine 
worfliip,  concluding  with  a  fervent  prayer  to 
the  Father  of  all  our  mercies,  for  the  continu- 
ance of  his  love  and  favours  to  his  children 
and  people.  After  which,  her  weaknefs  in- 
creafing,  Ihe  lay  in  a  calm  and  quiet  frame, 
without  much  appearance  of  pain,  until  (lie 
died,  which  was  on  the  2^th  day  of  the  fourth 
jnonth,  1755,  in  the  feventy-third  year  of  her 
ase. 


rhe 


(    '54    ) 

rbe  Tejlmony  of  the  ^artcrly-Meeting  of  Sand- 
wich ;«  New-England,  concerning  {^^^vio. 
LAS  Davis. 

JJE  was  born  at  Sandwich,  the  2%tb  of  the 
eighth  month.  ,  690.  but  lived  the  greateft 

hIH.  f  ^'  jn  Dartmouth  and  Rochefter. 
He  came  forth  with  a  living  teftimony  in  the 
miniftry  before  he  was  twenty  years^dd.  in 
which  he  grew  very  faft,  and  foon  became  an 
able  ikilful  minifter  of  the  gofpel.    dividing 

Itinate  oftenders,  but  to  thofe  under  affliftion 
his  words  were  as  healing  balfam,  and  his  fpeech 
as  dew  on  the  tender  grafs.     He  ftrove  to  live 

hll^"'^"  r't-'"  ""'"^  '"'^  ^^^  ^^"^••^'1/  well 
beloved  by  his  acquaintance  and  neighbours 

more  cfpecially  his  brethren  of  the  fame  reli- 
gious denomination.     He  travelled   much  in 
vifiting  friends  in  New-England,  was  very  fer- 
yiceable  in  ftrengthening  them,  and  alfo  made 
mltrumental  m  convincing  fome  of  the  blelTed 
truth.     A  diligent  and  feafonable  attender  of 
meetings,  and  a  lover  of  the  honefl-hearted. 
but  always  hated  hypocrify  in  any.     He  twice 
vifited  friends  in  the  weftern  parts  of  America 
going  once  as  far  as  North  Carolina.— Before 
he  proceeded  on  his  laft  journey  into  thofe 
parts,  he  appeared  refigned  to  the  will  of  God 

world'""h     TT^  ^IT    '^'   ^^'"g«   «f  ^his 
world  ;  his  kinfman  Adam  Mott  accompanied 

him,  and  by  teftimonials  received  from  feveral 
meetings,  their  fervice  was  well  accepted      On 
his  way  homeward,  he  was  taken  fick  at  Ob- 
long 


(  -155  ) 
long  in  New- York  government,  bearing  his  pain 
with  great  patience  to  the  laft ;  and  whilft  his 
underftanding  was  clear,  often  mentioned  his 
concern  for  the  profperity  of  truth.  In  the 
time  of  his  ficknefs  he  wrote  a  letter  to  his 
wife,  wherein  he  exprefled  his  fubmiflion  to 
the  will  of  God  whether  in  life  or  death,  de- 
firing  (he  might  experience  the  fame ;  and  in 
an  efpecial  manner  requefted  her  care  in  the 
education  of  their  children,  to  bring  them  up 
in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord ; 
keep  them  from  hurtful  and  unprofitable  com- 
pany, and  endeavour  to  inftill  into  their  minds 
the  Chriftian  principles  of  patience,  tempe- 
rance, meeknefs,  and  fobriety,  that  fo  they 
might  be  made  fit  vefTels  for  the  holieft  to 
dwell  in,  In  another  letter  wrote  to  his  chil- 
dren, in  the  time  of  his  ficknefs,  we  find  thefe 
words,  *  I  hereby  let  you  know,  that  as  I  am 
doubtful  whether  I  fliall  ever  fee  you  more, 
there  refts  fomething  on  my  mind  to  write  to 
you  by  way  of  advice,  which  I  greatly  dcfire 
may  not  be  forgotten :  and  that  is,  as  you  have 
a  tender  affeftionate  mother,  who  is  defirous 
you  may  do  well,  therefore  dear  children,  be 
obedient  to  her  in  all  things  in  the  Lord, 
and  fubmit  to  her  counfel  and  advice  at  all 
times  in  love  to  her;  and  alfo  endeavour  to 
live  in  love  and  peace  one  with  another  at  all 
times,  and  let  not  any  contentions  or  hard 
thoughts  arife  one  againft  another  by  any 
means,  but  be  helpful  one  to  another.  And 
be  exceeding  careful  to  attend  week-day 
meetings,  and  encourage  others  alfo,  and  en- 
deavour to  let  all  things  be  in  good  order  in 

'  the 


(     '56     ) 

thofe  about  him  to  be  ftill  and  quiet,  that  they 
might  have  a  time  to  wait  on  the  Lord  in  fi- 
ience.  and  feveral  times  opened  his  mouth  in 
prayer  and  fupplication  in  a  Jiving  and  powe 
ful  manner ,  alfo  exhorted  the  by-ftandersin 
the  fame  hfeand  power.  Thus  he  finifhed 
h,s  courfeat  Oblong,  aforefaid.  on  the  7  i  of 
the  tenth  month    ,755.  in  the  fixty-fiftj  year 

n„M  T  !a-  "^'""^  "^  '*  ''^•"     He   bore   a 
publick  teftimony  above  forty-fix  vears    U 

hath  left  an  unblemirhed  charafter    ^       ' 


^lyimonyfrom  Burh'ngton  Monthly-Meetin^ 
zn  New-Jerfey,f.«,.r«/«^PET,Ej,  Andrews: 

J  T  having  pleafed  the  Lord  to  beftow  on  him 
a  gift  m  the  miniftry,  he  was  faithful  there- 
to, and  made  helpful  to  many  j  being  fo  devot- 
ed to  the  fervice  of  God.  that  when  any  rchV  - 
ous  duty  was  required  of  him.  he  was  frequof  t- 
fordeP     to  perform  it,   as  ftrength  is  af- 

He  was  careful  to  attend  meetings  for  wor- 

a  ;e7"conf' P^'"'  '^^  ^^^"  'here,^manifefted 
a  real  concern  to  wait  upon  God  for  ftrength 
and  wifdom.  that  fo  our  meetings  might  be 
truly  profitable  Amongft  his  neighbours  he 
was  ferv.ceable.  his  example  having  a  tendency 
to  ftrengthen  the  good  in  them  and'otherS 
to  difcourage  that  which  was  wrong. 

His 


1 


I 


f 


(    IJ7    ) 

His  engagements  in  the  exercife  of  the  mlnif- 
try,  occalioned  him  to  be  much  from  home, 
yet  his  regard  to  his  family  was  becoming  his 
ftation  both  as  a  hulband  and  a  father  j  it  was 
his  frequent  practice  to  fit  down  with  them  to 
wait  upon  the  Lord,  and  we  believe  his  faith- 
fulnefs  therein  was  of  confiderable  fervice. 

In  the  year  1755,  he,  in  a  weighty  manner 
laid  before  us,  a  concern  that  had  fome  time 
refted  on  him  to  vilit  friends  in  England.  And 
having  obtained  the  concurrence  of  friends 
here,  and  fettled  his  temporal  affairs,  he  em- 
barked about  the  29^/6  of  the  fourth  month  the 
fame  year. 

For  an  account  of  his  fervices  in  that  nation, 
we  refer  to  the  following  teftimony  of  the 
monthly-meeting  of  friends  in  Norwich,  at 
which  place  he  departed  this  life,  aged  about 
forty-nine,  and  a  minifter  about  14  years. 


\\ 


A  Tejlimony  from  Norwich  Monthly-Meetings 
concerning  Peter  Andrews. 

/^U  R  dear  friend  Peter  Andrews,  from  Weft- 
^^  Jerfey  in  North- America,  being  on  a  reli- 
gious vifit  to  friends  in  this  nation,  deceafed  in 
this  city ;  and  the  lively  fenfe  of  his  fervices, 
and  the  regard  we  bear  to  his  memory,  engages 
us  to  tranfmit  the  following  teftimony  con- 
cerning him. 

His  firft  vlfit  to  us  was  in  the  eleventh 
month,  1755,  and  his  fervice  and  exemplary 
deportment  will   remain  as  a  lafting  teftimony 

for 


'< 


(     158     ) 
for  him,  and  to  the  truth  he  preached,  in  the 
minds  of  many  j  and  we  have  good  reafon  to 
beheve  he  was  made  inftrumental,  in  a  very 
particular  manner,  to  the  help  and  furtherance 
of  fome  amongft  us,  whom  it  had  pleafed  the 
Lord  to  vifit  with  a  freili  vifitation  of  his  love. 
And  by  the  information  of  other  friends,  who 
well  knew  him,    and  particularly  our  friend 
Edmund  Peckover,  who  frequently  accompa- 
nied him,  as  well  as  from  our  own  knowledge 
we  are  enabled  to  give  the  following  brief  ac- 
count of  his  labours  and  travels,  from  the  time 
ot  his  arrival  to  his  death. 

He  landed  in  the  fouth  part  of  England,  in 
or  about  the  fixth  month.  1755,  and  came  di- 
rectly up  to  London,    where  he  was   kindly 
received   by  friends,   and  had  very  good  fer- 
vice  during  a  fhort  ftay  there.     But  being  de- 
firous  of  being  at  the  quarterly-meeting  to  be 
held  at  York,  in  company  with  feveral  friends 
ot  London,  he  went  as  diredly  to  the  faid  city 
as  he  could  well  do,   being  near  two  hundred 
miles,  and  reached  there   bv  the  24/-/^  of  the 
fixth  month,  at  which  time'began  the  quarter- 
ly-meeting. And  this  our  dear  friend  had  a  very 
memorable  and  weighty  opportunity  in  mi'- 
mltry,  in  the  meeting  of  minifters  and  elders 
at  the  opening  thereof;  but,  in  the  fucceeding 
meetings  for  worfliip,  was  moftly  filent  •  yet 
in  thofe  for  difcipline,  was   divinely  led  to  fet 
forth  the  nature,  good  end,  and  tendency  of  the 
fame,  and  very  zealoufly  prefled  to  the  keeping 
them  up,  in  the  fame  wifdom  and  power  in 
which    they  were  firft   eftabliilied ;  evidently 
letting  forth,  •  that  they  proceeded  from  that 

•  which 


»* 


(     159     ) 

•  which  gathered  our  fore-fathers  to  be  as  a 

*  peculiar  people  unto  Godj'  to  the  no  fmall 
edification  and  comfort  of  many  fincere  hearts, 
who  rejoiced  greatly  in  having  his  company^ 
which  remains  frefli  in  their  remembrance; 
his  fervices  being  as  bread  caft  upon  the  waters^ 
which,  according  to  the  wife  man's  obferva- 
tion,  Jhall  be  found  after  many  days. 

After  the  quarterly-meeting  was  ended,  he 
went  to  Pickering,  where  a  very  large  meeting 
is  kept  annually  for  worihip,  and  had  feafon- 
able  and  profitable  fervice.  He  travelled  to 
many  other  places  in  that  countv,  and  friends 
\yere  greatly  refre/hed  and  edified  by  his  Chrif- 
tian  vifit,  though  not  always  attended  by  pub- 
lick  declarations  in  their  religious  meetings 
appointed  on  his  account,  which  were  moftly 
very  large,  and  expedations  high,  yet  his  eye 
was  to  his  great  Mafter's  putting  forth.  He 
often  was  led  to  famifli  that  too  eager  defire  af- 
ter words,  and  in  feveral  publick  meetings, 
he  had  nothing  to  fay  amongft  them ;  which 
though  a  great  difappointment  to  many  for  the 
prefent,  yet  there  afterwards  appeared  a  fignal 
fervice  in  it. 

He  was  at  Yarm,  Stockton,  Bainbrig,  and 
feveral  other  meetings  in  and  about  the  Dales  • 
then  came  to  Leeds,  Bradford,  Wakefield,  Don- 
cafter,  and  fointoLincolnfhire;  which  county 
he  vuited  pretty  generally  j  alfo  the  Ifle  of  Ely, 
and  came  into  Norfolk,  and  to  this  place  in 
the  eleventh  month,  1755,  as  afore-mentioned  • 
was  at  moft,  if  not  all,  of  friends  meetings  ik 
our  county  J  then  went  into  Suffolk  and  Effcx 
and  returned  to  London  the  latter  end  of  the 

iirft 


(     i6o     ) 

firft  month,  1756,  where  he  remained  a  few 
weeks,  being  exceeding  ill ;  yet  was  at  moft  of 
the  meetings  in  that  city,  and  was  very  fervice- 
able,  with  many  other  friends,  in  affairs  par- 
ticularly relating  to  the  fociety  in  Pennfylva- 
nia  at  that  time. 

He  went  back  again  into  Effex,  and  fo  for 
Hertfordfliire,  fome  parts  of  Buckingham(hire> 
Oxfordfhire,  Gloucefterfliire,  and  to  the  yearly- 
meeting  at  Briftol,  in  the  fifth  month,  1756; 
and  had  good  fervice  both  in  meetings  for  wor- 
Ihip  and  difcipline,  which  was  well  received, 
and,  it  is  hoped,  made  lading  impreffions  on 
the  minds  of  many  who  had  the  opportunity 
of  being  prefent. 

His  indifpofition  ftill  continued,  but  did  not 
hinder  him  from  travelling.  From  Briftol  he 
paffed  through  fome  part  of  Gloucefterfhire, 
Wiltfliire,  and  Oxfordshire,  and  got  to  the 
yearly- meeting  at  London  in  the  fixth  month; 
and  although  his  illnefs  continued  upon  him, 
was  enabled  to  bear  feveral  living  teftimonies, 
in  the  demonftration  of  the  fpirit  and  of  power. 
After  the  faid  yearly-meeting  was  ended,  he 
came  down  to  the  yearly-meetings  at  Colchef- 
ter  and  Woodbridge,  where  he  was  eminently 
fupported  to  be  ferviceable  in  the  churches. 
At  Woodbridge  he  was  ftrengthened  to  bear  a 
large,  powerful,  and  affeding  teftimony,  in  the 
laft  meeting  of  worfhip,  to  the  tendering  of 
many  hearts,  whofe  ftatcs  were  fo  effecflually 
fpoken  to,  as  that  it  may  be  fitly  compared  to 
the  excellency,  and  glorious  fituation  which 
the  Pfalmift  defcribed,  when  he  fays,  **  How 
•*  good,  and  how  pleafant  a  thing  it  is,   for 

**  brethren 


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€t 


t( 


(C 


(      161      ) 

brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity !  It  is 
like  the  precious  ointment  upon   the  headj 
that  ran   down   upon  the  beard,  even  Aa- 
ron's beard,  that  went  down  to  thefkirts  of 
his  garments.     As  the  dew  of  Hermon,  and 
as  the  dew  that  defcended  upon  the  moun-a 
tains  of  Zion  ;  for  there  the  Lord  command- 
ed  the    bleffing,    even  life  for   evermore.** 
Pfalm  cxxxiii.  i,  2,  3^.     It  was  indeed  a  moft 
heavenly,  precious,  baptizing  feafon,  (this  be- 
ing the  laft  publickopportunity  our  dear  friend 
had)  in  which  he  was  wonderfully  led  to  fet 
forth  the  progreffive  fteps   the  Almighty  was 
pleafed  to  make  ufe  of,  in  appearing  to  Gideon, 
confirming  him  in  the  certainty  of  his  requir- 
ings,  condefcending  to  grant  his  requefts  in  a 
very  peculiar  manner,  and  fealing  them  with 
his  prefence,  and  giving  him  vidiory  over  hiis. 
enemies,  as  he  was  faithful  to  follow  the  blef- 
fed  Author,   that  pointed  forth  the  beginning, 
as  well  as  finiftiing  that  great  work,   to  which 
that  extraordinary  fervant  of  God,  Gideon,   in 
his  day  was  called  5  which  memorable  fervice 
of  our  dear  friend,  there  is  great  reafon  to  be- 
lieve the  great  Lord,   who  prepared  him  for 
the  fame,    was  gracioufly  pleafed   to  fix   as  a 
nail  in  a  fure  place ;  and  may  it  fo  continue  in 
the  remembrance  of  thofe  then  prefent,  who 
are  left  for  a  fmall  fpace  yet  in  mutability. 

He  continued  very  weak  in  body  all  his  ftay 
in  Woodbridge,  being  above  five  days,  and  no 
perfuafions  could  prevail  with  him  to  hinder 
his  fetting  forward  for  his  journey,  having 
ftrong  defires  in  his  mind  to  fee  friends  in  this 
place  again  ;  and  to  a  particular  friend  he  ex- 

M  prefled 


(     i62     ) 

prclTed  his  love  fo  great  to  us,  *  That  he  thought 

*  he  could  willingly  die  with  us.'  He  was 
favoured  to  accomplifli  it  in  two  days  after  he 
left  Woodbridge,  though  with  great  difficulty, 
and  lodged  at  the  houfe  of  our  friend  John 
Oxley,  as  he  had  done  before,  but  took  to  his 
bed  foon  after  he  got  in,  to  which,  the  remain- 
ing part  of  his  time,  he  was  moftly  confined. 

It  being  the  time  of  our  yearly-meeting, 
many  friends  went  often  to  vifit  him,  and  he 
exprefled  to  fome,  *  That  he  was  fatisfied  he 

*  was  in  his  place,  in  giving  up  to  follow  the 

*  requirings   of  the  Lord,   in  leaving  his  out- 

*  ward  habitation,  and  thofe  near  bleffings  of 

*  a  moft  tender   affeftionate  wife  and  dutiful 

*  children.* 

The  feverity  of  his  illnefs  kept  him  moflly 
delirious,  yet  he  was  favoured  with  fome  clear 
intervals ;  in  one  of  which,  being  in  a  fweet 
heavenly  frame  of  mind,  he  broke  forth  in  the 
following  fervent  fupplication,  viz.  *  Oh  ! 
this  poor  foul  hath  been  for  many  days  on 
the  brink  of  the  pit  of  diftrefs ;  but  thou, 
dear  Father,  doft  not  afflidl  thy  children  wil- 
lingly, but  for  fome  great  and  good  caufe 
known  only  to  thyfelf.  Dear  Father  !  fuffer 
not  thy  children  ever  to  defpair  of  thy  mer- 
cies, but  that  we  may  be  helpful,  as  much  as 
may  be  in  our  power,  to  one  another,  in  all 
fuch  times  of  trouble.  Deareft  Father  !  thou 
haft  been  pleafed  to  open,  and  to  favour  with 
thy  goodnefs ;  my  foul  is  thankful,  and  can 
fay,  thou  art  worthy  of  glory  and  praife  for 
evermore.' 

He 


(     163     ) 

He  continued   to  the   i2tA  of  the  feventh 
month,  1756,  and  then  departed  this  life,  and 
was  interred  in  friends  burying-ground  the  1 8t/j 
of  the  fame,  after  an  awful  meeting,  (his  corps 
being   attended    by  a    very   large    number  of 
friends  and  others)  and  no  doubt  he  refts  with 
the  fpirits  of  the  juft  made  perfeft,  in  thofe 
glorious  manfions  prepared  for  all  thofe  that 
hold  out  in  faithfulnefs  to  the  end.     His  me- 
mory is  very  precious  and  dear   to  many  who 
are  yet  furviving ;   and  we  believe  it  may  truly 
be  faid,  that  few  friends  who  have  travelled  in 
this  nation,  have  been  more  approved,  or  had 
rnore   general  fervice  in   fo  fhort    a  fpace  of 
time^ 


MHM 


-^  Tejlimony  from  Gwynedd  Monthly- Meethig  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  John  Evans. 

ILJE  was  born  in  Denbighfhire,  in  the  Prin- 
^^  cipality  of  Wales,  in  the  year  1689,  and 
arrived  in  Pennfylvania  with  his  parents,  in 
1698,  under  whom  he  received  a  pious  educa- 
tion. He  was  a  man  of  good  natural  under- 
ftanding,  and  favoured  early  in  life  to  fee  the 
neceffity  of  a  diligent  attention  to  the  voice 
of  divine  wifdoin,  to  eftablifh  and  preferve  him 
in  peace  with  God  ;  and  by  a  fteady  adherence 
to  it,  he  became  honourable  in  fociety,  and 
eminently  ferviceable  in  the  church  of  Chrift. 
In  the  twenty-third  year  of  his  age,  he  appear- 
ed in  the  miniftry  of  the  gofpel ;  his  deport- 
ment therein  was  reverent,  as  became  a  mind 

M  2  fenfible 


(    i64    ) 

fcnfible  of  the  awful  importance  of  the  fervice. 
He  had  a  clear  engaging  manner  of  delivery,  was 
deep  in  heavenly  myfteries,  and  plain  in  de- 
claring them.    Being  well  acquainted  with  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  he  was  madeUcilfulm  open- 
ing the  dodrines  therein  contained,  and  was 
often  led  to  draw  lively  and  inftruftive  fimili- 
tudes  from  the  vifible  creation.     He  travelled 
through  moft  of  the  northern  colonies  in  the 
fervice  of  truth,  and  feveral  times  through  this 
province.     He  was  often  drawn  to  attend  genew 
ral  meetings,  funerals,  and  other  publick  occa- 
fions,  particularly  the  adjacent  meetings  after 
their  rirft  eAablifhment,   over  which  he  had  a 
tender  fatherly  care,  as  a  good  fhepherd  taking 
heed  to  the  flock ;  and  the  great  Shepherd  of 
Ifrael  blefled  his  labours,  and  afforded  him  at 
times   great    fatisfaftion    and   comfort.      The 
ktter  part  of  his  time,   the  vifible  declenfioa 
of  many  from  the  life  and  power  of  truth,  fre- 
quently made  forrow  and  deep  lamentation  his 
portion.     His  labours  were  fervent  with  the 
youth,  in  much  love  and  zeal,  that  they  might 
come  to  know  God  for   themfelves,  bow  their 
necks  to  the  yoke,  and  lay  their  fhoulders  to 
the  work,  faying,  **  That  their  remembering 
•^  their  Creator   in  the  days   of  their  youth, 
^'  would  be  as  marrow  to  his  bones."     It  was 
indeed  his   great  joy  to  behold   the  peaceable 
fruits  of  righteoufnefs,  and  his  labours  for  the 
promotion     thereof,     made    him    honourable 
amonglt  men  of  various  ranks  and  profeffions, 
and    his    teftimony    generally   acceptable    to 
them.  ^ 

In 


(     165     ) 

In  the  fupport  of  oui^Chriftian  difcipline,  he 
was  zealous,  adlive,  and  unwearied,  and  fa- 
voured with  qualification  to  advife  in  different 
cafes,  which  feldom  failed  of  fucceeding.  His 
teftimony  was  clofe  againft  hypocrify,  and  an 
outfide  fhew  of  religion  only,  but  full  of  pa- 
ternal tendernefs  to  the  afflidled,  weak,  or  dif- 
fident in  fpirit ;  of  found  judgment,  and  deep 
in  divine  experience,  yet  modelt  and  conde- 
fcending :  and  being  favoured  with  the  de- 
fcendings  of  the  Father's  love,  that  at  times 
appeared  to  clothe  him  as  with  a  mantle,  he 
had  an  open  door  in  the  hearts  of  his  friends, 
and  an  afcendency  over  the  fpirits  of  gainfayers. 
He  was  a  zealous  promoter  of  vifiting  friends 
in  their  families,  was  many  times  engaged 
therein,  and  his  labours  were  awakening  and 
ufeful ;  often  employed  in  vifiting  the  fick, 
the  widow,  and  the  fatherlefs,  and  others  in 
afHidtion.  On  thefe  occafions  he  was  feldom 
large  in  expreflion,  but  his  filent  fympathy, 
and  fecret  breathing  for  their  relief,  were  more 
confolatory  than  many  words.  A  confiderable 
part  of  his  time  was  fpent  in  aflifting  widows, 
and  the  guardianfhip  of  orphans,  which  though 
laborious  to  him,  was  of  much  advantage  to 
them. 

The  importance  of  love  and  peace  to  civil 
and  religious  fociety  he  was  deeply  fenfible  of, 
diligent  in  promoting  them  both  by  precept 
and  example,  and  fuccefsful  in  refloring  har- 
mony where  any  violation  of  it  appeared. 
His  conduft  and  converfation  in  private  life 
was  exemplary,  and  fuch  as  implied  an  inward 

M  3  clofe 


J 


(     i66    ) 

clofe  infpedllon  into  the  fecret  operations  of 
his  own  heart. 

He  was  apprehenfive  of  his  approaching  end 
for  fome  time  before  his  laft  illnefs,  and  told  a 
friend,  *  He  fhould  not  furvive  one  year,'  who 
admired  he  was  fo  pofitive;  but  he  made  no 
further  reply  than,  '  See  what  will   follow.' 
In  his  publick   teftimony  alfo  he  frequently 
faid,  *  He  had  but  an  inch  of  time  to  treat  with 
*  us.'     In  the  firft  part  of  his  illnefs  he  went 
to  fome  meetings,  one  whereof  was  large,  and 
he  was  favoured  with  ftrength   to  fpeak  in  a 
powerful  and  inftrudtive  manner  to  the  youth, 
for  whofe  welfare  his  defires  were  ardent.     His 
diforder  was  flow  and  lingering,  wherein  he 
was  favoured  with  his  underftanding  almoft  to 
the  laft;  and  although  at  fome  feafons  he  was 
jnuch  concerned  on  account  of  the  gloominefs 
of  the  times  in  religious  and  civil  refpeds,  yet 
3n  general  he  pofleifed  a  very  great  degree  of 
calmnefs  and  ferenity  of  mind,  with  a  perfedl 
refignation  to  the  will  of  God,  whether  life  or 
death  fhould  be  his  portion.     On  the  day  of 
his  departure,  obferving  his  wife  troubled,  he 
faid  with  a  cheerful  countenance,  *  I  am  eafy, 
^  I   ^m    eafy,'    and    defired   her    to   be    eafy 
alfo.       Indeed,    it    appeared    that     the    Lord 
had  flrengthened  him  on  the  bed  of  languifli- 
ing,  and  made  all  his  bed  in  his  ficknefs.    And 
thus  having  ferved  God  in  his  generation,   he 
departed    the   23^  day  of   the    ninth   month, 
175^'     aged    fixty-feven    years;     having,     we 
hope,  fliaken  himfelf  from  the  duft,  and  put 
on    his   beautiful   garments,    and  entered  the 
wedding  chamber  of   the  bridegroom  of  his 

foul, 


i^ 


i 


(  167  ) 

foul,  and  enjoys  the  reward  of  his  faithful 
labours;  was  buried  on  the  25/A  day  of  the 
fame  month,  in  friends  burying -ground  at 
Gwynedd. 


A  Teftimony  from  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, concerning  Thomas  Brown. 

HE  was  born  in  Barking,  in  the  county  of 
Eflex,  Great  Britain,  on   the    \fl  of  the 
ninth  month,   1696,  came  whilft  young  with 
his  parents  into  this  province,  and  lived  fome 
time  in  this  city,  from  whence  he  removed  with 
them  to  Plumftead,  in  Bucks  county,  where  he 
firft  appeared  in  the  miniftry;  fome  years  after 
which  he  fettled  in  this  city.     His  gift  in  the 
miniftry  was  living,  deep,  and  very  edifying ; 
and  in  the  exercife  thereof,  he  was  remarkable 
for  an  awful  care,  not  to  appear  without  clear 
and  renewed   evidence  of  the  motion  of  life 
for   that  fervice  :    and  though  not  a  man  of 
literature,  was  often  led  into  fublime  matter, 
which  was  convincing  and  perfuafive  in  fetting 
forth  the  dignity  and  excellence  of  the  Chriftian 
religion,    yet   was    very   attentive    that    thofe 
heights    ftiould    not    detain    him    beyond   his 
proper  gift,  but  to  clofe  in  and  with  the  life, 
which  made  his  miniftry  always  acceptable  to 
the  living  and  judicious.     Although  he  was 
not  led  to  vifit  the  churches  in  diftant  parts, 
yet  was  fometimes  concerned  to  attend  fome  of 
the  neighbouring  meetings,  of  two  of  which  he 
has  preferved  fome  minutes,  which  being  a  lively 

M  4  defcriptiou 


(     i68    ) 

defcription   of  his  concern  of   mind  for  the 

wTrn^^K    •  '^t""?  °^  '''''^'  ''  ■«  thought 
well  to  fubjo.n  them  here  in  his  own  words 

1756,  eighth  month  9/^  I  went  to  Con, 

;  cord  quarterly  meeting,  but  found  no  caufe 

to  efpoule  the  caufe  of  God  in  a  publick 

'  IZl^  r  r^T^  ''  ^^""^^'    ^hich  was  to 

«  f      /"^•l^^*-^'^"  '    niy  foul  was   fo  bended 

owards   the  people,    that  I   could   fcarcely 

eave  them,    being  engaged  in  a  ftream   of 

he  mm.ijry  to  extol   the  divinity  of  that 

rehg.on  that  ,s  breathed  from  heaven,  and 

which  arrays  the  foul  of  its   poireilbr  with 

«  f.^P«  of  the  divinity  of  Chrift.  and  en- 

.  f'tles  them  to  an  eternal  inheritance;   alfo 

introduces  a  language,    intelligible  only  to 

i^f  aT"/'"^  ^°"^'  ^^'^'^  '^^^^  ^"efs  to  a 
wf  A  f°""^=»'".  vvhich  is  no  lefs  than  a 
.  foretafle  of  eternal  joy.  to  fqpport  them  in 
thar  journey  towards  the  regions  above, 
where  rel.g.on  has  room  to   bfeathe  in  its 

*  rnn^  /  k"  ^^  "''•^'^y  °^  ''^'^t  harmonious 
fong  of  the  redeemed,  where  the  morning 

ftars   fing   together,   and    the  fons  of  God 
'  Inout  tor  joy. 

'1756  the  29/^  of  the  eighth  month  I 
vifncd  Gwynedd  meeting.  vvLre  in  waitin' 
in  nothmgnefs  before  God.  without  feek  ng 

L.    k'"!,  '°  ''''^'  "^y  '^^'^^^d  before  thf 

♦  S'fb^/'^''"   T^"  ^°"^  b^"™^  inverted 
;  w  th   hat  concern  that  the  gofpel  introduces 

V  mlv  Z  T"'"^  '"  '^''""  ^"^'^^  '  "  i  think  it 
5-  nia^  conduce  to  my  peace  (o  ftand  up  and 

<'  engage 


f 


4 


(     169     ) 

^*  engage  in  a  caufe  dignified  with  immortality, 
<*  and  crowned  with  eternal  life."  The  fubjed 

*  raifed  higher  and   brighter,    until   my  foul 

*  was   tranfported  on  the  mount  of  God  in 

*  degree,  and  beheld  his  glory  ;   where  I  was 

*  favoured  to  treat  on  the  exalted  ftation  of  the 

*  redeemed  church,    which  ftands  in  the  elec* 

*  tion  of  grace,  where  my  foul  rejoiced  with 
'  tranfcendent  joy,  and  adored  God.  Returned 
^  home  in  peace/ 

His  conduft  and  converfation  was  innocent 
and  edifying,  being  much  weaned  from  the 
world  and  the  fpirit  of  it.  He  was  careful 
not  to  engage  in  worldly  concerns,  fo  as  to 
encumber  his  mind,  and  draw  it  off  from  that 
religious  contemplation,  in  which  was  his 
chief  delight;  which  happy  ftate  of  mind  he 
maintained  to  the  lall,  as  evidently  appear- 
ed to  thofe  friends  who  were  with  him  towards 
his  conclufion  ;  to  fome  of  whom  he  expreffed 
himfelf  in  the  following  manner,  viz. 

*  I  am  fine  and  eafy,  and  do  not  know  but 
what  I  may  recover;  but  if  I  Ihould,  I 
expe(ft  to  fee  many  a  gloomy  day,  but  never- 
thelefs  I  am  willing  to  live  longer,  if  I  might 
be  a  means  of  exalting  religion,  that  the 
gift  bellowed  on  me,  might  lliine  brighter 
than  it  hath  ever  yet  done,  or  elfe  I  had 
better  go  now;  for  I  think  I  have  (hone  but 
glimmeringly  to  what  I  might  have  done, 
had  I  been  ftill  more  faithful.  Though  I 
cannot  charge  myfelf  with  a  prefumptuous 
temper,  nor  wilful  difobedience;  but  lean 
fay,  it  has  often  happened  with  me,  as  with 
the  poor  man  at  the  pool  of  Bethefda,  whilft 

'  I  was 


If 


(  170  ) 

^  I  was  making  ready  another  has  ftepped  in, 

*  I  am  fenlible  that  my  gift  has  been  different 
'  from  fome  of  my  brethren,  I  have  not  been 

*  led  fo  much  into  little  things,  but  I  am  far 
'  from  judging  them. 

♦  I  have  often  to  pafs  through  the  valley  of 
'  the  fhadow  of  death,  and  have  experienced 
'  the  poffibility  of  a  foul's  fubfifting  the  full 
'  fpace  of  forty  days   without  receiving  any 
thing,  only  living  by  faith  and  not  by  fight. 
Provided  they  keep  upon  the  foundation  of 
convincement  and  convidion,  and  not  turn 
afide  to  take  a  profpedl  of  the  world,  and 
defire  to  draw  their  comfort  from  vifibles, 
they  will  be  fupported  by  an  invifible,  yet 
invincible  power;    for  he   will   be  fure   to 
appear,  and,  when  he  doth  appear  at  times, 
doth  rend  the  vail  from  the  top  to  the  bot- 
tom, with  an  invitation,  as  Samuel  ufed  to 
fay,  (meaning  Samuel  Fothergill)  «'  Come 
up  hither,  and  behold  the  bride  the  lamb's 
wife^"  then  the  foul  will  have  to  enjoy,  and 

*  fee  things  beyond  expreffing^  my  tongue  can 

*  do  little  or  nothing  at  fetling  it  forth.     The 

•  foul  will  be  filled  with  holy  admiration,  and 
'  fay,  *'  Who  is  file  that  looketh  forth  as  the 
*'  morning,  fair  as  the  moon,  clear  as  the  fun, 
''  and  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners." 

*  Although  the  foul  has  at  times  to  behold 
^  the  glory,  fplendor,  and  magnitude  of  the 
'  true  church  or   fpoufe  of  Chrift,  yet  thofe 

•  extraordinary  lights  are  but  kldom,  not 
'  often  :  though  I  have  had  at  times  caufe  to 
'  efpoufe  the  caufe  of  God,  yet  there  are  times 

that  the  foul  is  fo  vailed  and  furrounded  with 

*  temptations 


€i 


t€ 


I 


f 


i 
1 


(    171     ) 

temptations  and  fiery  trials,  and  all  out  of 
fight,  that  I  have  wondered  that  I  was  made 
choice  of.  But  I  have  experienced  that  they 
that  would  reign  with  Chrift  muft  fuffer  with 
him ;  I  never  expedl  to  get  beyond  it,  while 
I  am  clothed  with  this  clog  of  mortality. 
*  People  may  have  a  regular  outfide,  and  be 
diligent  in  attending  meetings,  and  yet  know 
little  or  nothing  of  it ;  for  formality  and 
externals  are  nothing.  Religion  is  an  internal 
fubjed:,  fubfifting  between  Chrift  and  the 
foul :  I  do  not  confine  it  to  our  name,  but 
amongft  the  different  names  there  are,  that 
my  foul  is  nearly  united  to,  who  are  in  a 
good  degree,  I  do  believe,  in  pofTefiion  of 
that  religion  which  is  revealed  from  heaven : 
and  I  am  in  the  faith,  that  there  will  be 
them  raifed  up  that  will  fhine  as  bright  ftars, 
and  religion  will  grow  and  profper,  and  the 
holy  flame  rife  to  a  greater  height  than  it 
hath  ever  yet  done.  1  can  fay  with  the  holy 
apoftle,  *'  I  have  nothing  to  boaft  of,  fave 
my  infirmities,"  yet  thus  much  I  venture  to 
fay,  that  if  I  die  now,  I  die  a  lover  of  God 
and  religion.'  And  after  expreffing  a  com- 
palfionate  fymp^uhy  with  the  poor  afliidled 
churches  up  and  down,  concluded  with  this 
laying,  "  Be  of  good  cheer,  little  flock,  for 
^*  greater  is  he  that  is  in  you,  than  he  that  is 
•"  in  the  world." 

In  the  fixty-firft  year  of  his  age  he  was 
feized  with  an  apopledick  diforder,  which 
gradually  increafing,  deprived  him  of  life  on 
the  2iji  of  the  fixth  month,  1757,  and  was 
interred  in  this  city  the  next  day. 

^  Tejllmony 


(      ^72      ) 

A  Tejllmony  from  Newark  Mofjf^  Meef/nz  m 
Jewcaftle  county,  on  Delaware,  concefninz 
JBetty  Caldwell.  ^ 

gHE  was  the  daughter  of  George  Pierce,  of 
Thornbury.  m  Chefter  county,    was  born 
n  Gloucerterm.re,  in  Old  England,  and  came 
into  Pennfylvania  with  her  parents  about  the 
year  ,683,  who  fettled  in  Thornbury  aforefaid. 
bhe  was  married  to  Vincent  Caldwell  in  170? 
and  foon  after  they  fettled  in  Marlborough! 
Chefter  county,  where  flie  continued,  and  be- 
longed  to  Rennet  meeting,  till  a  ic^w  years  be- 
fore her  death,  when  fhe  removed  to  Wilming- 
ton.     She   was   from   her  youth    remarkably 
exemplary  for  plainnefs  and   fobriety,   much 
concerned  for  pe-ace  in  the  church  and  amongft 
neighbours,  labouring  to  reftore  it  accordin<. 

1    A  r^^'.  ^r   ^"'^fions  required,    often   with 
the  defired  fuccefs.     She  was  very  ferviceable 
in  that  weighty  work  of  vifiting  friends  fami- 
lies,    m  which   /he  had   at   times    to   impart 
to   others,     of    her   own   experience    in    the 
work  of  religion,  and  to  exhort  to  faithful- 
nels.  and  obedience  to  what  the  Lord  requires- 
was  aconftant  attender  of  meetings,  and  exem- 
plary for  fohd  and  humble  waiting  therein,  and 
much  concerned  that  her  children  might  walk 
in  the  truth.     After  the  death  of  her  hufband. 
in  1720,  flie  had  the  care  of  the  family  upon 
iierfelf,  remaining  in  a  ftate  of  widowhood  up- 
wards of  thirty-feven  years,  in  which  ftation 
fte  behaved  with  fuch  prudence  and  circum- 
Xpcdhon,  that  her  condud  in  bringing  up  her 

children 


1 


1 


(  173  ) 

children  without  much  corredlion,  Is  worthy 
of  imitation ;  which,  together  with  her  pious 
concern  for  the  welfare  of  the  church,  entitle 
her  to  be  accounted  of  the  number  of  the 
**  Widows  indeed,"  She  had  many  years  been 
in  the  ftation  of  an  elder  for  Kennet  meeting, 
and  feveral  years  before  her  death,  had  a  few 
words  in  teftimony  in  meetings,  which  was  ge- 
nerally well  received,  being  feafonable  and 
weighty. 

Her  laft  ficknefs  was  a  fever,  which  brought 
her  very  low,  often  *  praying  the  Lord  to  be 
*  near  her,  and  by  his  fupporting  hand  to  bear 
'  up  her  fpirits  now  in  this  pinching  time;' 
and  finiflied  her  courfe  here,  we  believe,  in 
peace  with  the  Lord,  and  in  unity  with  friends, 
the  2jth  of  the  tenth  month,  J  757,  and  was 
interred  in  Kennet  burying-ground  the  29th 
of  the  fame  month,  in  the  feventy-feventh  year 
of  her  age. 


A  Tejiimony  from  Burlington  Monthly-Meeting 
in  New-Jerfey,  concerning  Abraham 
Far  ri  n  g  t  on. 

TTE  was  born  in  Bucks  county,  Pennfylva- 
^^  nia,  of  parents  profeffing  the  truth  as  held 
by  us  the  people  called  (fakers.  About  nine 
months  after  his  birth  his  father  dying,  and 
his  mother  fome  time  after  mi^rrying  from 
among  friends,  expofed  him  to  a  loofe  irregu- 
lar education  -,  about  ten  years  of  age  being 
put  apprentice,    where  through  eleven  years 

fervitude. 


I 


I 


(     ^74    > 

fervitude  he  fufFered  great  bodily  hardrl^fp, 
and  much  greater  danger  as  to  the  better  par^ 
Jl-    ^te      •!"  %'"3""fc"Pt  Jeft  for  the  ufe 

.  .nH^' r''^"".^   '  ^  TJ"  ^^''gh^  ^"  "^y  bible' 
and  beheve  the  good  hand  was  with  me,  that 

mclined  my  mind  thereto.     Though  I  fol- 

lowed  lying  vanities,  and  Co  forfook  my  own 

mercies    yet  I  could   fay  my  prayers  every 

3  f  ''"  I  ^.r  '^'^'^  ''  %  thVany  mor^ 
and  leemed  hke  one  abandoned  from  good 
for  leveral  years.'  Having  ferved  his  time 
out,  he  prov  dentially  becalne  a  refident^n 
Benjamm  Clark's  family  at  Stony-brook,  who 
were  exemplary  and  kind  to  him ,  '  I  thought 
(fays  he)  '  they  were  the  beft  people  in  fhe 

aTd     ;  T'^"'/"  J^^'^  "°^'^^'  y^^  cheerful 
and  plealant    fo  that  I  thought  I  muft  be  a 

v^t'u  ^"'^  ^^"^"^  Andrews,  from 
Egg-harbour,  being  at  a  quarterly  meeting  at 
Croflwicks,  '  He  came'  (adds  he)  '  with  power 

reached,  but  after  the  manner  of  the  world 
^  looking  at  the  man,    gave  him   the  praife' 
VIZ    he  ,s  a  brave  man,  he  preaches  well,  i 
w,(h  I  lived  near  him.  I  would  go  to  h^ar 

ing  what  he  directed  to.  Chrift  in  ourfelves. 
he  true  teacher,  that  will  not  be  removed 
nil  we  remove  from  him ;  in  us  is  the  place 
he  has  ordained  to  reveal  himfelf  J  after 
wards  went  more  to  friends  meetings  than  I 
had  done  before,  and  read  much  in  friends 
books  but  v/as  yet  in  the  dark,  the  time  of 
my  deliverance  was  not  come,  the  fins  of  the 
Amontes  were  not  full ;  I  was  under  Mofes 

•  in 


(     ^75    ) 

In  the  wildernefs,  come  out  of  Egypt,  but 
Jofliua's  time  was  not  come,  the  Saviour,  the 
warrior  that  brings  through  judgment,  and 
makes  war  with  the  old  inhabitants.     Yet  I 
fometimes    longed   for    fomething   which   I 
could  not  find,  a  lot  in  the  good  land.     I 
think  this  year  Thomas  Wilfon  and  James 
Dickenfon  came  into  the  country,  and  fome- 
time  afterwards  to  vifit  the  meeting  of  friends 
at  Croflwicks.   I  happened  to  be  at  the  meet- 
ing before  they  came  in;  the  fight  of  them 
ftruck  me,  the  heavenly  frame  of  mind  which 
their  countenances  manifefted,  and  the  awe 
they  feemed  to  fit  under  brought  a  ftiillnefs 
over  my  mind,  and  I  was  as  ground  prepared 
to  receive  the  feed.     James  ftood  up  in  the 
authority  of  the  gofpel,  and  in  it  he  was  led 
to  unravel  me  and  all  my  works  from  top  to 
bottom,  fo  that  I  looked  on  myfelf  like  a 
man  difl^efted  or  pulled  to  pieces :  all  my  re- 
ligion, as  well  as  all  my  fins,  were  fet  forth  in 
fuch  a  light  that  I  thought  myfelf  undone. 
After  he  fat  down,   Thomas  fl:ood  up,  and 
brought  me  together  again,  I  mean  what  was 
to   be  raifed,  bone   to  his   bone,    with   the 
finews  and  fl:rength  that  would  conftitute  a 
Chriflian.      I  almoft    thought    myfelf    new 
born,  the  old  man  deftroyed,  and  the  new 
man  made   up,    concluding  I  fhould  never 
be  bad  again,  that   my  fins  were  forgiven, 
and  I  fhould  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  do 
good ;  I  thought  I  had  gotten  my  lot  in  the 
good  land,  and  might  fit  now  under  my  own 
vine  and  fig-tree,   and  nothing  more  {hould 
make  me  afraid.     Poor  creature  !  I  had  onlv 

*  a  fight. 


J 


'Il 


'(  176  ) 

a  fight,   I  did  not  yet  think  what  powerful 
adverlaries  I  had  to  war  with.    This  has  been 
the  miferable  cafe   of  many,   they  have  fat 
down  under  a  convincement,  and  in  a  form 
of  religion,   fome   depending  on  former  ex- 
perience or  former  openings,  fome  on  their 
education,  fome  a  bare  belief,  and  knowledge 
hiltorical  of  the  fcriptures  and  principle  of 
truth.     Thus  though  I  received  the  truth, 
yet  I  was  like  the  ftony  ground;   I  received 
with  joy,    but  had  not  root  in  myfelf,  my 
heart  grew  hard  again,    for   when'  tribula- 
tions, perfecutions,   temptations,   and   trials 
came  upon  me,   I  fell.     Oh!  how  I  moped 
at  times,  and  wandered  about  as  a  prifoner 
at  large,  I  would  have  run,  but  I  could  not, 
my   oifended  judge,   my  accufer  was  in  me, 
I  could  not  fly  from  him;  yet,  great  ^ood- 
nefs^  was  near,  and  his  power  kept  me^from 
grofs  evils  in  a  great  degree.     I  kept  pretty 
much    to  meetings,    but  there  was   fuch    a 
mixture  of  undigelled  matter  in  me,  it  was 
not  to  be  foon  feparated.     Oh  !  the  neceffity 
there  was,  and  Itill  is,  of  a  continual  watch 
againfl:  our  fouFs  enemies  both  within  and 
without. 

Having  pafled  through  various  probations, 
he  had  confiderable  openings  of  the  divine 
fenfe  of  the  fcriptures,  and  alfo  faw  that  the 
Lord  had  a  work  for  him  to  do,  to  which  he 
at  length  gave  up,  and  being  faithful  therein 
was  made  helpful  to  many;  being  enlarged  and 
found  in  teftimony,  and  at  times  very  particu- 
larly led  to  explain  paffages  in  the  fcriptures, 
to  the  comfort  and  information  of  hearers. 

He 


(     ^77    ) 

.He  was  an  affedionate  hufband  and  parent, 
diligent  in  attending  meetings  for  woriliip  and 
difcipline,  and  manifefted  therein  a  zealous 
concern  for  the  promotion  and  honour  of 
truth,  waiting  for  wifdom  to  fee  his  duty, 
and  ftrength  to  perform  it.  He  divers  times 
travelled  abroad  on  this  continent  in  the  fer- 
vice  of  truth,  and  frequently  in  the  neigh- 
bouring meetings  to  fatisfaiflion ;  his  outward 
circumrtances  being  at  times  difficult,  gave 
him  an  opportunity  to  (hew  an  example  of 
Chriftian  refignation,  and  to  fee  its  effects  in 
divers  providential  affiftances. 

^  In  1756  he  laid  before  this  meeting  a  reli- 
gious concern  to  vifit  friends  in  Great  Britain, 
which  had  been  on  his  mind  upwards  of  ten 
years,  wherewith  the  meeting  concurring,  he 
had  our  certificate,  and  embarking,  landed  in 
Ireland;  and  after  vifiting  the  meetings  in 
that  country,  arrived  in  England,  and  per- 
formed his  religious  vifits  in  feveral  counties, 
but  was  taken  ill,  and  died  in  London  the 
26t/j  of  the  firft  month  1758;  finifiiing  his 
day's  work  with  a  firm  aflurance  that  the  gates 
of  Heaven  were  opened  to  him.  Very  accept- 
able accounts  of  his  fervices  both  in  Eno-- 
land  and  Ireland  have  been  received,  as  are 
more  fully  fet  forth  in  the  annexed  tefliimony 
of  Devonfliire-houfe  monthly -meeting  con- 
cerning him. 

He  died  aged  about  fixty-feven,  was  in  the 
profefiion  of  the  truth  near  44,  and  an  accept- 
iible  minifter  upwards  of  30  years. 


N 


-^  Tejltmony 


4 


(  178  ) 

A  Tejlimony  from  Devon fliire-houfe  Monthly- 
Meeting  in  London,  concerni?ig  Abraham 
Parking  TON. 

'T^HIS  worthy  minifter  and  elder,   having 
•*      had    drawings   in  his   fpirit   for  feveral 
years,  as  we  are  informed,  to  vifit  the  church- 
es of  Chrill  in    this   nation    and  Ireland,   in 
the  fervice  of    the  gofpel,    when   he    appre- 
hended  the  time  approached  wherein  he  was 
to  enter  upon    this   weighty  engagement,   he 
fettled  his   outward    affairs;    and  having    the 
concurrence  and   unity  of  the  brethren,  em- 
barked in^  a  velTel  bound  from  Philadelphia  to 
Dublin,   in    company  with  three  friends  from 
Europe,    who  had  performed  a  religious  vifit 
to   the  churches    in    America.      After   a   fa- 
voured voyage  of  about  four  weeks,  landing 
at  Dublin,  he  vifited  the  meetings   of  friends 
in  Ireland,  and  by  the  accounts  from  thence> 
had  very  weighty  and  acceptable  fervice  there. 
Having  laboured  faithfully  in  that  nation  to 
flrexigthen  the  brethren,  and  affift  in  building 
up  the  wafle  places  in  Zion,  he  embarked  for 
England,  vifited  the  churches  in  fome  of  the 
northern  counties,  attended  the  yearly-meeting 
at  Penrith,  and  afterwards  that  in  this  city ; 
his  labour  of  love  in  the  work  of  the  miniftry, 
being  to  edification  and  comfort,  was  truly 
acceptable.     After  attending  the  yearly-meet- 
ings  of  Colchefter,    Woodbridge,    Norwich, 
and  the  quarterly-meeting  of  York,  he  vifited 
many  meetings  in  the  northern  and  midland 
counties,   from   whence  good  accounts  have 

been 


•1 


1 
i 


(   m  ) 

been  received  of  his  weighty  and  affeding  la- 
bours. He  returned  to  London  the  latter  end 
of  the  twelfth  month,  1757.  Having  travelled 
With  great  diligence,  and  laboured  fervently, 
his  health  was  impaired ;  neverthelefs  he  atten- 
ded meetings  till  his  diforder  increafed  (o  as  to 
i-ender  him  incapable  of  further  fervice. 

As  this  our  dear  friend  fpent  but  little  time 
in  this  city,  we  cannot  from  knowledge  and 
experience  give  fuch  a  teftimony  concerning 
him  as  might  be  thought  fequifite ;  yet,  as 
fome  of  us  partook  of  the  benefit  of  his  reli- 
gious  labours,  we  find  ourfelves  engaged  to 
give  forth  this  teftimony  concerning  him. 

His  converfation  was  innocently  cheerful, 
yet  grave  and  inftrudive;  he  was  a  man  of  a 
Weighty  fpirit,  a  valiant  in  Ifrael,  a  fharp 
reprover  of  libertine  and  loofe  profefTors,  but 
tender  to  the  contrite  and  humble ;  and  a  lover 
of  good  order  in  the  church. 

He  was  ftrong  in  judgment,  found  in  doc- 
tnnc,  deep  in  divine  things ;  often  explaining 
in  a  clear  and  lively  manner,  the  hidden  myfte- 
rics  wrapt  up  in  the  fayings  of  Chrift,  the 
prophets  and  apoftles  ;  and  it  may  truly  be 
laid,  he  was  well  inftrudled  in  the  kinc^dom 
bringing  forth,  out  of  his  treafure,  thingt  ne^y 
'.ind  old.  ^ 

His  miniftry  was  in  plairtnefs  of  fpeech,  and 
attended  with  divine  authority,  reaching  the 
witnels  of  God  in  man,  and  to  the  habitation 
of  the  mourners  in  Zion;  frequently  pointing 
out  in  a  lively  manner,  the  paths  of  the  exer- 
ciled  travellers,  and  the  fteps  of  heavenly  pil- 
grims;  by  which  he  was  made  helpful  to  fuch 

N  2  as 


i 


(     i8o     ) 

as  are  feeking  the  true  refl,  which  the  Lord 
hath  prepared  for  his  people.  It  may  truly 
be  laid,  he  was  eminently  gifted  for  the  work 
of  the  prefent  day,  remarkably  qualified  to  ex- 
pofe  the  myftery  of  iniquity,  and  to  point  out 
wherein  true  godlinefs  coniifted. 

His  diftemper  increafing,  he  was  confined  to 
his  bed,  at  the  houfe  of  our  friend  Thomas 
Jackfon,  in  Devonlhire-fquare,  where  all  ne- 
cefiary  care  was  taken  of  him.  During  his 
illnefs,  he  was  very  fweet  and  tender  in  his 
fpirit,  and  remarkably  patient.  He  uttered 
many  comfortable  and  heavenly  expreffions, 
and  feveral  times  faid,  he  apprehended  his 
time  in  this  world  would  be  but  fliort;  and 
feemed  fully  refigncd  to  quit  mortality,  hav- 
ing an  evidence,  ^  that  he  fhould   be  clothed 

*  upon   with  immortality,    and  be   united   to 

*  the  heavenly  hoil:.' 

He  had  frequently  been  heard  to  fay,  in 
time  of  health,   *  That  he  thought  he  iliould 

*  lay  down  his  body  in  this  nation,  and  not  fee 

*  his  friends  in  America  more;'  to  which  he 
appeared  freely  given  up.  He  often  exprcflcd 
his  defire,  ^  That  he  might  be  favoured  with 

*  an  eafy  paifage,'  which  w^as  gracioufly 
granted. 

He  departed  this  life,  the  26//;  of  the  firft 
month  1758,  like  a  lamb,  without  either  figh 
or  groan,  as  one  falling  into  a  fweet  lleep,  aged 
about  fixty-fix  years ;  and  on  the  i^oth  of  the 
fame,  his  body  was  carried  to  Devonihire-houfe, 
where  a  large  and  folemn  meeting  was  held, 
which  was  owned  by  him  whofe  prefence  is 
the  lite  of  our  meetings  3  and  from  thence  his 

body 


(     iSi     ) 

body  was  carried,  by  friends,  to  their  burying- 
ground  in  Bunhill-fields,  a  large  concourfe  ac- 
companying it,  and  was  there  decently  interred 
among  the  remains  of  many  of  our  primitive 
worthies,  and  valiant  foldicrs  in  the  lamb's 
war,  who  loved  not  their  lives  unto  death,  for 
the  word  of  God  and  teflimony  of  Jefus. 


A  Tejlimony  from  Kennet  Monthly-Mcctin^  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  Hannah  Carle- 
ton. 

TTANNAH  CARLETON,  late  wife  of 
^^  Thomas  Carleton,  of  Kennet,  in  Chefter 
county,^  Pennfylvania,  was  born  at  Haverford 
in  the  faid  county,  about  the  5th  month  1689. 
She  was  fenfible  of  the  Lord's'vifitation  of  love 
to  her  in  her  young  years,  and  as  fhe  gave  heed 
thereto,  was  preferved  in  a  good  degree  from 
the  vanities  and  evil  converfation  of  the  world; 
as  ihe  grew  in  years  Hie  grew  in  the  truth,  was 
a  ferviceable  friend  in  the  fociety  and  her 
neighbourhood  in  divers  refpedts ;  and  of  lat- 
ter years  was  helpful  in  that  weighty  work  of 
yifiting  friends  families,  having  at  times  to 
mipart  (not  only  in  fuch  opportunities,  but  in 
our  more  publick  meetings)  of  her  experience 
of  the  work  of  truth  in  her  young  years,  and 
urging  to  others  the  necefllty  of  the  fame  work 
m  them ;  which  was  well  received  by  friends. 
Being  taken  with  an  excefs  of  bleeding  at  the 
iiofe,  file  was  thereby  fo  weakened,  that  for 
fome  months  before  her  deceafe  Ihe   did   not 

N  3  go 


^ 


f 


la  f 


if 


(    182    ) 

go  from  home,  nor  much  out  of  doors ;  fhc  ap- 
prehended her  end  was  near,  and  when  it  was 
propoied  to  fend  to  a  dodor  for  help,  fhe  faid 

•  It  feemed  needlefs,  for  I  am  in  the  hands  of 
^  the  great  phyfician,  who  knows  what  is  beft 

•  for  me.'  A  neighbour  fignifying  (he  hoped 
to  fee  her  better,  flie  anfwered,  *«  Better  I  (hall 
^  be  in  a   little  time/      The  friend    replied 

'  In  a  better  ftate  of  health  I  mean  /  fhe  an- 
fwered, '  I  neither  expeft  nor  defire  it,'  ad- 
miring the  kindnefs  of  the  Almighty  in  fa- 
vouring her  fo,  that  (he  neither  felt  ficknefs 
por  pain.  Another  time  (lie  faid,  <  As  I  have 
laboured  for   peace  and  love,   fo  now  I  fee 

•  nothing  but  peace  before  me,'  with  feveral 
other  fentcnces  which  manifefted,  that  the 
peace  and  quietnefs  (he  was  favoured  with, 
came  from  the  Father  of  mercies  to  her  in  her 
laft  moments. 

She  departed  this  life,  the  6/>6  of  the  fifth 
month  1758,  about  the  3^  hour  in  the  after- 
noon, and  was  buried  in  friends  burying- 
ground  in  Kennet,  the  StA  of  the  fame  month, 
in  the  fixty-ninth  year  of  her  age. 


AT:eJlimonyfrom  Gwynedd  Monthly-Meeting  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  Jane  Jones. 

JANE  JONES,  wife  of  John  Jones  of  Mont- 
gomery  townfhip,  was  educated  amongft 
friends,  and  as  (he  grew  in  years,  (he  increafed 
in  divine  knowledge,  and  became  a  ferviceable 
Hiember  of   the  church.     The  affability  and 

fvveetnels 


i 

\ 

i 


i 


C    ^83    ) 

fvveetnefs  of  her  difpofition,  and  her  love  to 
all,  rendered  her  very  near,  not  only  to  the 
faithful,  but  many  others  alio.  As  a  parent, 
Ihe  was  much  more  concerned  for  her  child- 
ren's eternal  welfare,  than  for  their  acquiring 
wealth  or  preferments  in  this  world.  And  as 
Ihe  poffeiTed  affluence  and  plenty  herfelf,  the 
fenfibility  of  her  heart  towards  the  needy 
would  not  permit  her  to  eat  her  morfel  alone. 
She  fought  for  tlie  poor,  and  diftributed  boun- 
tifully to  their  wants.  As  (he  advanced  to 
old  age,  (lie  became  frail,  and  fubjed:  to  pain 
and  diforders,  which  difabled  her  from  attend- 
ing meetings  as  duly  as  (he  defired;  neverthe- 
lefs  her  love  to  truth  and  the  profperity  of 
Zion  brightened  and  increafed,  and  (he  bore 
her  weaknefs  with  patience,  as  a  difpenfation 
permitted  for  her  probation. 

She  departed  this  life,  the  iitA  of  the  fifth 
month  1758,  and  was  interred  the  14/A  of 
the  fame  month  in  friends  burying-ground  at 
Gwynedd,  in  the  feventieth  year  of  her  age. 


>f  T^ejlimony  from  Haddonfield  Monthly-^Meet^ 
ing  in  New-Jerfey,  concerning  Joseph 
T  o  M  L  I  N  s  o  N, 

r\  U  R  well  efteemed  friend  Jofeph  Tomlln- 
fon  deceafed,  was  convinced  of  the  truth 
in  the  early  part  of  his  life.  His  zeal  for  at- 
tending religious  meetings  when  but  youngs 
was  fuch,  that  he  frequently  travelled  many 
miles  on  foot  to  them,  and  continued  remark- 

N  4  ably 


i 


C    184    ) 

ably  diligent  in  attending  all  our  religious 
meetings.  As  he  grew  in  years,  he  became 
more  and  more  ferviceable  amongft  friends, 
being  feveral  years  an  overfeer  of  Haddonfield 
meeting,  and  likevvife  an  elder;  careful  to 
maintain  the  difcipline.  His  life  feemed  to 
be  unblameable.  He  was  nearly  united  unto 
his  friends,  and  their  love  to  him  was  very 
great. 

He  died  the  3^  of  the  ninth  month  1758, 
and  we  believe  he  was  prepared  to  receive  the 
anlwcr  of  *'  Well  done,  &c." 


-^1.    I     ITWT3S 


ji  Tcjlhncny^  from  Wrights  Town  Monthly^ 
Meeting,  in  Bucks  county,  Pcnnfylvania,  con- 
cerning our  ancient  friend  a?id  Jijter  Agnes 
Pen  QUITE,  ^cLo  departed  this  life,  the  10th 
day  of  the  eleventh  month  1 758,  ieifig  upivards 

^    of  one  hundred  years  old. 

CHE  brought  a  certificate  with  her  from 
^  Europe,  dated  the  btb  day  of  the  fecond 
month  1686.  She  was  of  an  innocent  pious 
life  and  converfition,  a  good  example  in  at- 
tending meetings  both  on  lirft  and  week-days, 
until  a  few  years  before  her  death.  She  was 
a  minilier  above  feventy  years  -,  her  teftimony, 
though  generally  ihort,  was  mcltly  to  fatis- 
fadion  and  edification;  and  in  her  declinino- 
age,  when  nature  feemed  almoil:  fpent,  Ihe  ap- 
peared more  divinely  favoured  than  common, 
to  the  admiration  of  fome.  When  ilie  could 
no  longer  attend  meetings,   {[\z  would  often, 

at 


(  1S5  ) 

at  meal  times,  appear  in  prayer,  with  praifes 
to  the  Lord,  to  the  comfort  and  fatisfadion 
of   thofe    prefent ;     and    frequently    fignificd, 

*  She  had  the  evidence  of  divine  peace.'  Not 
long  before  her  departure  Ihe  faid,   *  That  her 

*  fweet   Lord  had  not  forfiken   her,   but  was 

*  Itill   with  her  to  comfort  and  refrefh  her  in 

*  her  old  age.'  Thus  Ihe  was  removed  from 
time  to  eternity,  like  a  fliock  of  corn  fully  rine. 


in 


A  Teflijncny  from  GoHien  Monthly-Meeting  in 
Cheller  county,  Pcnnfylvania,  concerning 
Cadwallader  Junks. 

T  TE  was  born  the  2nth  of  the  firfl:  month, 
-^  ^  1687,  near  Bala,  in  Merionethfliire,  in 
the  principality  of  Wales,  and  removed  with 
his  parents  into  Pcnnfylvania  about  the  year 
1697;  foon  after  their  arrival,  he  was  placed 
with  a  friend  until  he  came  of  age.  In  this 
time  ot  his  youth,  he  was  naturally  very  wild 
and  airy,  and  delighted  much  in  vain  company, 
until  by  convidions  he  broke  off  from  his 
companions.  \\\  the  year  17 10,  he  married, 
and  foon  after  fettled  at  Uwchlan  in  Cheiler 
county,  wliere  he  remained  until  his  deceafe. 
A  meeting  being  efiabliihed  at  that  place  fliortly 
aiter  his  removal  thither,  he  duly  attended  the 
fame  both  on  the  firil  and  other  days  of  the 
week  ',  fometimes  remarking,   *  That  he  knew 

*  the  benefit  of  leaving  the  hurry  of  the  world 

*  to  attend  meeting,'    v/here   he    was  a  good 
example,  both  in  keeping  to  the  time  appoint- 
ed. 


(     i86    ) 

ed  and  his  folid  fitting  in  filence.  He  was 
zealous  for  the  fupport  of  our  ChriAian  dif- 
ciphne,  and  adive  therein,  as  well  as  in  over* 
ieeing  the  flock,  and  other  fervices  in  the 
church. 

He  ferycd  in  the  ftation  of  an  elder  about  28 
years,  diligently  attending  thofe  meetings  even 
until  od  age,  and  under  bodily  weakneflts.  In 
his  ficknels  he  often  expreffed  much  concern 
and  forrow  for  fome  of  the  profeflbrs  of  truth, 
faying.  '  They  are  on  the  decline,  what  will 
become  of  them  ?'  And  further  faid,  ♦  This 

\  ui  ^""t  f ''"  ^^'"  -"^  burden  to  him.  and 

^  he  thought  he  had  difcharged  his  part,  and 

It   would    nowfoon   become  the   burden  of 

others/  expre/Ting  a  concern  for  the  ri^ht 

management  of  the  difcipline,  and  remarking 

the  remilfnefs  of  fome  herein.     He  frequently 

expreffed  his  refignation  to  the  will  of  God - 

and  on  the  2iy?  of  the  eleventh  month     i  yr s' 

quietly  departed  this  life,  and  was  buried  the 

2id  in   friends    burying -ground  at   Uwchlan 

arorefaid. 


A  "Tejlimony  from  Woodbridge  Monthly-Meet- 
tng  m    New-Jerfey,     concerning   Sarah 

S  H  O  T  WE  L  L. 

SARAH  SHOTWELL  departed  this  life 
m  the  eighth  month,  1759,  in  the  forty- 
fourth  year  of  her  age.     She  was  educated  a- 
mongft  friends  on  Long-Ifland,  and  was  early 
engaged  in  a  public  teftimony.  In  the  twenty- 

feventh 


(     187     ) 

feventh  year  of  her  age,  fhe  was   married  to 
Jofeph    bhotwell  of  Rahway  ;    was  a  woman 
much  beloved,  of  a  fweet,  free,  and  hofpita- 
ble  fpirit,  guarded  in  her  expreflions,  careful 
to  give  no  jufi:  occafion  of  offence,  a  prudent 
loving  wife,    a  tender   exemplary   parent,    an 
affedionate  and  kind  neighbour;  often  fympa- 
thizing  with  thofe  in  affliftion,  efpecially  fuch 
as  were  religious  and  virtuous.  The  rich  and 
poor  of  thofe  were  equally  near  to  her,  and 
nearer   than   natural  kindred  where  truth  had 
not  united  in  fpirit.    She  gladly  received  ftran- 
gers  j  and  her  carriage  and  behaviour  to  young 
minifters   and  burden-bearers,  manifefted  her 
concern   for  and  fympathy  with   them,  often 
dropping  feafonable  hints  for  their  encourage- 
ment.    Although  file  did  not  travel  much  a- 
broad,  yet  (lie  was  diligent  in  attending  meet- 
ings at  and  about  home,   being  endued  with 
a  found  and  living  miniftry,  clear  and  diftindt 
in  her  teftimony,  whereby  many  were  alarmed, 
fome  convinced,  ftrengthened,  and  confirmed 
in  the  faith  through  a  blefling  on  her  labours. 
She  was  much  engaged  in  filent  humble  waiting 
on   the  Lord,  who   was  pleafed  to  own  her, 
and  often  raife  in  her  memorials  and  fongs  of 
thankfgiving  to  the  God  of  all  mercies,  who 
never  forfook  his  people  in  the  deep,  nor  left 
them   to  perilli    in  the  wildernefs,    but   was 
faithful  and  true,  and  failed  not  to  brine  to 
the    promifed    land.     The    gofpel    truths   (he 
w^as  enabled  to  open,  werefo  affeding  to  many, 
that  fome  who  were  prejudiced  againfl  women's 
preaching,  have  been  heard  to  fay,   *  If  fuch  a 
*  thing  could  be,  flie  was  a  true  gofpel  minifter.* 

She 


(     i88     ) 

She  was  a  pattern  of  humility,  not  feeking 
applaufe,  not  forward  in  her  publick  appearan- 
ces, and  though  fometimes  large,  was  generally 
careful  not  to  ftand  long;  fervent  and  livino- 
in  prayer,  wherein,  we  believe,  fne  had  acceit 
to  the  Father.  She  frequently  exhorted  all  to 
come   up   in    faithfulnels,    fignifying,    '  That 

*  God  would  have  a  people  that  would  ferve 

*  him  in  uprightnefs  and  integrity  of  heart/ 
Having  had  a  fight  fome  time  before  her  laft 

ficknefs,  that  her  time  here  was  nearly  accom- 
pliflied,  file  departed  this  life,  after  about  four 
days  illnefs,  in  a  refigned  frame  of  mind. 


I 


A  Te/}wiG72y  from  Hop^wcW  Monthly -Mectin^  in 
Virginia,  CQ7iccrning\^\i^Q  Hol  l  i  n  g  s  wor  t  h. 

TN  his  youthful  days  he  was  deeply  affevfted 
^  with  the  vifitation  of  the  love  of  God,  and 
by  adhering  and  carefully  waiting  in  his  coun- 
fel,  he  was  preferved  from  the  deluding  vani- 
ties of  the  world,  which  are  too  apt  to  draw 
and  divert  the  minds  of  young  people,  from 
an  awful  regard  to  him  who  created  them. 
He  received  a  gift  in  the  miniftry  when  about 
twenty-one  ye.^rs  of  age,  and  was,  we  believe, 
a  faithful  labourer  in  his  Mailer's  work;  being 
much  concerned  for  the  promotion  of  truth, 
and  the  eternal  well-being  of  mankind;  of  a 
foberand  grave  deportment,  diligent  in  attend- 
ing religious  meetings,  and  exemplary  in  hum- 
ble waiting  therein.  He  vifited  the  churches 
in  divers  parts  of  the  neighbouring  colonies  ; 
and  we  find  by  accounts  from  thence,  that  his 

ferviccs 


\     189     ) 

fervices  and  labours  of  love  were  well  accepted 
among  them.  In  the  year  1757,  he  removed 
with  his  family  within  the  limits  of  Fairfax 
monthly-meeting,  fo  that  we  cannot  give  a 
very  particular  account  of  him,  towards  the 
latter  part  of  his  time,  which  we  refer  to  that 
meeting. 

A  Supplefne?it  to  the  foregoing  Tejlimony,  from 
Fairfax  Monthly -Meeting  in  Virginia. 

THE  foregoing  teftimony  concerning  our 
worthy  friend  Ifaac  Hollingfworth,  was 
read  in  this  meeting,  to  which  we  are  free  to 
add,  that  the  few  years  he  refided  among  us, 
he  was  a  diligent  attender  of  our  religious 
meetings,  and  alfo  a  promoter  of  opportunities 
for  retirement  in  families.     He  greatly  dehrcd, 

*  That  truth  might  profper  in  the  hearts  of 

*  the  youth,'  being  frequently  concerned  in 
meetings,    to  fpeak   to    and  encourage  them, 

*  To  come  up  in  their  duty,'  and  alfo  to  warn 
the  difobedient,   *  To  forfake  the  evil  of  their 

*  ways.'  A  degree  of  the  holy  anointing  ac- 
companying his  miniftry,  it  tended  to  the  en- 
couragement and  edification  of  the  fincere  in 
heart. 

His  laft  illnefs  was  a  nervous  diforder,  which 
continued  on  him  nineteen  days ;  within  which 
time  he  attended  our  meeting  on  a  hrft  day, 
and  bore  a  livino;  teftimonv  much  to  the  fuis- 
fadion  of  friends,  whereby  he  feemed  much 
fpent  ;  and  on  going  home  he  immediately 
took  his  bed,  uttering  but  few  words,  and 
departed  this  life,  eafy  and  quiet,   on  the  loth 

of 


"f 


(   190   ) 

of  the  ninth  month,  ,759,  and  on  the  i2i6 
of  the  lame  month,  was  interred  in  friends 
burymg-ground  at  Fairfax,  aged  about  thirtv- 
feven  years ;  and  we  doubt  not  he  is  a  partaker 
of  hat  joy  which  crowns  the  labours  of  the 
lauhiul. 


I 


C    191    ) 

faying,  *'  He  was  travelling  towards  the  city 
**  of  reft,  whofe  builder  and  maker  God  is." 
Having  attained  to  the  age  of  feventy-fix  years, 
he  departed  this  life,  the  24/^  of  the  twelfth 
month,  1759,  in  great  peace  and  good- will  to 
all  men.     A  miniiler  upwards  of  40  years. 


j4  Tejlimony  from  Buckingham  Monthly ^Meet  ^ 
in  Bucks  county,  Pennfylvania,  concernins: 
Edmund  Kinsey. 

TIE  was  born   in  Philadelphia,  in   the  year 
^^   1683,  and   it   plcafed   the  Lord  to  make 
him  acquainted  with  truth,  which  he  embraced 
in  a  good  degree,  and  became  fober,  grave,  and 
fleady  in  his  deportment.    In  his  early  days  he 
received  a  gift  in  the  miniftry,  wherewith  friends 
had  unity  ;   being  alfo  ferviceable  and   exem- 
plary to  the  particular  meeting  of  Buckingham 
when  it  was  fmall,   by  his  diligence  in  att^end- 
ing  it,  his  humble  waiting  therein,  and  lively 
miniftry  to  the  refrefliing  and  encoura^inrr  of 
the  little  flock.     Though  his  underftandingr  as 
a  man  was  not  very  extenfive,  yet  that  was  a- 
bundantly   fupplied    by  his   meek,    innocent, 
loving,  and  inoiFenfive  deportment  to  all  people.' 
He  was  very  diligent  and  induflrious  in   his 
outward  affairs,  a  good  example  in  his  family, 
and  aftedionate   to  friends.      His   latter  days 
were  attended  with  great  afflicflion   of  body, 
which  he  bore  with  great  patience  and  refi^- 
nation,  frequently  fignifying  his  '  Dependence 
'  on  the  Lord,  the  great  phyfician  of  value/ 

faying, 


! 


A  Tejlimony  from  Salem  Monthly-Meeting  in 
New-Jerfey,  concerning  Elizabeth  Da- 
niel, ivife  ^  James  Daniel. 

SHE  was  born  in  the  year  1709,  was  a 
woman  endowed  with  a  lively  gift  in  the 
miniftry,  and  by  yielding  in  obedience  to  the 
heavenly  call,  and  following  the  paths  of  true 
wifdom,  it  became  as  a  crown  and  royal  diadem 
on  her  head;  for  the  truth  was  her  chief 
adorning,  and  by  it  £he  was  advanced  from  a 
poor,  low,  defpifed  girl,  to  be  as  a  mother  in 
our  Ifrael;  and  by  wifdom  was  enabled  to  ftand 
in  the  midft  of  the  congregation,  with  repu- 
tation and  honour  for  the  caufe  of  our  God, 
and  to  plead  with  gainfayers  and  the  lukewarm, 
to  join  in  with  the  glorious  truth  that  had 
made  her  free,  in  the  demonftration  of  the 
power  of  pure  love  ;  and  in  the  ftream  thereof 
Ihe  was  often  led  forth,  to  comfort  the  mourn- 
ful travellers  in  Zion,  and  in  the  line  of  expe- 
rience could  tell  what  great  things  the  Lord 
had  done  for  her  foul,  through  her' obedience 
and  truft  in  him,  to  whom  fhe  freely  attributed 
all  (he  received  as  from  his  bountiful  hand, 
and  thereby  gave  the  glory  to  God,  and  admi- 

niftered 


(      192       ) 

niaered  comfort  to  weary  travelling  fouls. 
But  being  of  a  backward  fpirit,  from  a  fenfe 
of  her  own  weaknefs,  was  loth  to  give  up  to 
travel  in  trutlVs  fervice,  which  often  brought 
her  very  low  under  fuch  exercifes.  She  fome- 
times  travelled  in  Pennfylvania  and  Maryland, 
of  which  fervice  we  had  comfortable  accounts^ 
and  was  alfo  ufeful  in  building  up  the  church 
within  the  limits  pf  our  monthly-meeting. 

She  was  very  lively  to  the  laft,  and  her  tefti- 
monies  were  accompanied  with  power  that 
made  them  truly  feafonable  to  the  auditory, 
the  divine  prefence  being  fcnfiblv  with  hcr[ 
under  a  fenfe  whereof  Ilic  was  very  much  rc- 
figned,  and  rather  delirous  to  depart,  and  be 
at  reft  with  the  Lord.  On  being  afkcd  how 
fhe  was,  flie  anfwered  with   much   calmnefs, 

*  I  am  in  great  pain   of  body,   but  quite  eafy 

*  in  mind,  free  to  depart  and  be  releafed  from 
'  my  various  exercifes  ;  and  feel  as  if  my  day's 

*  work  was  done,  and  that  I  might  lay  down 
'  this  tabernacle  in  peace.     But  oh  !   the  pain 

at  times  is  fo  great,  nature  is  ready  to  flirink, 
and  am  afraid  I  (hall  not   be  able  to  bear  it 

*  with  that  patience   [  ought,  though  I  ftrivc 

*  for  it,  tor  my   mind  is  quite  eafv  and  re- 

*  figned.* 

Her  pain  was  great  under  the  extremity  of  a 
fliarp  pleurify,  and  after  feven  days,  this  fer- 
vant  of  the  Lord  quietly  departed  in  peace,  on 
the  20t/j  of  the  tenth  month,  1760,  in 'the 
fifty-firft  year  of  her  age,  and  the  26//^  of  her 
publick  miniftry. 


--f  Tcfthii-jny 


(   ^n   ) 

A  Tejiimony  from  Haddonfield  Monthly^Meei^ 
ing  i?i  New- Jerfey,  concerning  Joshua 
Lord. 

TTE  was  born  the  firft  day  of  the  eleventh 
•■•-■'  month,    1698,    near   Woodberry,    in  the 
county  of  Gloucefter,  Weft-New- Jerfey,  of  pa- 
rents profefiing  with  friends,  and  appeared  in 
the  miniftry  about  the  year  1727,  being  early 
favoured  to  experience  a  growth   therein,   be- 
coming an  ufeful  member  in  fociety.  The  fore- 
part of  his   time  he   travelled    pretty  much, 
having  twice  vifited  friends  in  New-Engknd 
and  Long-Ifland,  as  alfo  Maryland,  Virginia, 
and  North- Carolina  ;  of  which  fervices  we  had 
fatisfadlory   accounts    by   certificates  j    he   alfo 
frequently   vifited  the  neighbouring  meetings 
in  Pennfylvania  and  the  Jerfeys  ;  the  latter  part 
of  his  time  he  fpent  moitly  at  home. 

His  laft  illnefs  was  of  fhort  continuance,  in 
which  he  was  favoured  with  a  quiet  and  re- 
figned  mind  ;  expreffing,   *  That  he  had  gone 

*  through  a   feries  of  trouble,   but  had  been 

*  fupported  by  the  beft  of  fupport  /  and  we 
believe  he  is  gone  to  enjoy  that  unmixed  feli- 
city that  will  never  have  an  end. 

He  departed  this  life  the  \()th  of  the  eleventh 
month,  1760,  aged  about  fixty-tvvo  years,  and 
on  the  22d  of  the  fime  month  was  interred  in 
friends  burying-ground  at  Woodberry  Creek. 


O 


A  Tejlimony 


(     194     ) 


(     195    ) 


A  Teftmony  from  Chefterfield  Monthly^Meetino 
in  New-Jerfey,  concerning  Isaac  Hornor. 

TT  E  was  fon  of  John  and  Mary  Hornor,  born 
-■^  the  i7//6of  the  fecond  month,  1678,  in  the 
town  of  Tadcafter,  in  Yorkfhire,  Old  England. 
In  1683,  he  came  with  his  parents  to  America, 
and  fettled  within  the  limits  of  this  mectine. 
After  his  father's  deceafe,  it  pleafed  the  Lord 
to  vifit  him  with  his  blelfed  truth  in  his  young 
years,  which  he  received  in  the  love  of  it,  and 
being  obedient  thereto,  as  he  grew  in  years  he 
grew  in  grace,  and  in  the  faving  knowledge 
thereof,  whereby  he  became  a  ferviceable  mem- 
ber amongft  friends,  both  as  an  overfeer  and 
elder.  Although  he  did  not  appear  in  pub« 
lick  teftiniony,  he  had  a  fenfe  of  tlie  trueminif- 
try,  and  was  particularly  qualified  to  adminiller 
counfel  and  admonition:  often  advifinrr  to  a 
ileady  courfe  of  life,  and  fetting  forth  the  way 
and  leadings  of  truth  in  a  very  informing  and 
encouraging  manner,  to  the  edification  and 
comfort  of  many,  which  rendered  his  conver- 
fation  agreeable,  not  only  amongft  thofe  of  our 
fociety,  but  others  alfo;  being  likewife  ufe- 
ful  in  fettling  difterences.  His  fitting  and 
waiting  in  meetings  was  grave  and  folid,  be- 
coming a  true  worlhiprer ;  was  a  nurling  fa- 
ther and  a  faithful  elder,  ferving  in  that  fta- 
tion  divers  years.  He  departed  this  life,  after 
a  Ihort  illnefs,  on  the  2\th  of  the  eleventh 
month,  1760,  and  was  interred  in  a  burying- 
ground  on  his  own  plantation,  aged  eighty- 
two  years  and  fix  months, 

A  Ttjiimcny 


A  Tejiimony  from  Evefham  Mo?if/jly^ Meeting  in 
New-Jerfey,  concerning  Obadiah  Borton. 


I 


H 


E  was  born  in  the  townfliip  of  Evefliam, 
in  New-Jerfey,  in  the  year  1708,  and  the 
influence  of  divine  grace  made  early  impreffions 
on  his  mind  whilft  young  in  years,   which  led 
him  to  love  folitude  and  fobriety,  and  to  Ihun 
thofe    vices    incident    to   youth.     About    the 
twenty-fecond  year  of  his  age,  a  difpenfation 
of  gofpel  miniftry  was  committed  to  him.     He 
was  very  awful  at  tim.es  in  his  publick  approach 
before  the  divine  majefty  in  prayer,   and  often 
engaged  to  exhort  friends   to  humility,  and  to 
fhun  arrogancy  and  pride,  being  a  good  exam- 
ple herein  himfclf ;  fo  that  his   upright  inno- 
cent  deportment  gained  him   the  good  efteem 
of  his  friends  and  others.     He  departed  this 
life  the  -^th  of  the  feventh  month,    176T,  aged 
fifty-three,  a  minifter  31    years,  and  was  bu- 
ried at  Eveiham. 


A  Teftimony  from  Haddonfield  Mont/j/y-Meet-- 
ing  in  New-Jerfey,  concer?:ing  Elizabeth 

EsTAUGH. 

CHE  was  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
Haddon,  friends  of  London;  born  in  the 
year  1682  ;  her  parents  gave  her  a  liberal  edu- 
cation, who,  having  an  eftate  in  lands  in  this 
province,  propofed  coming  over  to  fettle;  and 
in  order  thereto,  fent  perfons  over  to  make  fuit- 

O   2  able 


I 


(     '96     ) 

able  preparation  for  their  reception  ;  but  they 
being  prevented  from  coming,  this  our  friend, 
with  her  father's  confent,  came  over,  and  fixed 
her  habitation  where  he  propofed  if  he  had 
come  ;  flie  being  then  about  twenty  years  of 
age,  in  a  fingle  Hate  of  life,  and  exemplary 
therein. 

In  the  year  1702,  flie  was  married  to  our 
worthy  friend  John  Eftaugh,  who  fettled  with 
her  where  Ihe  then  dwelt,  the  place  being  cal- 
led Haddonfield,  in  allufion  to  her  maiden 
name;  there  they  lived  together  near  forty  years 
(except  in  that  fpace,  her  feveral  times  crolling 
the  fea  to  Europe,  to  vifit  her  aged  parents, 
and  when  he  was  called  abroad  on  truth's  fer- 
vice,  to  which  llie  freely  gave  him  up.)  She 
was  endowed  with  great  natural  abilities,  which 
being  fandlified  by  the  fpirit  of  Chrili,  were 
much  improved,  whereby  ihe  became  quali- 
fied to  ad  in  the  afiairs  of  the  church,  and  was 
a  ferviceable  member,  having  been  clerk  to  the 
women's  meeting  near  50  years,  greatly  to  fa- 
tisfadion.  She  was  a  fincere  fympathizer  with 
the  afflided,  of  a  benevolent  difpclition,  and 
in  dillributing  to  the  poor,  was  defirous  to  do 
it  in  a  way  molt  profitable  and  durable  to  them, 
and  if  poilible,  not  to  let  the  ''  Right  haiid 
**  know  what  the  Iwft  did;*'  and  thoui^h  in  a 
ilate  of  affluence  as  to  this  world's  weahh,  was 
an  example  of  plainnefs  and  moderation;  zea- 
loufly  concerned  for  maintaining  good  order  in 
the  church,  diligent  in  attending  meetings  at 
heme,  where  her  fervice  leemed  principallv  to 
be,  and  trom  her  awiul  fitting,  ue  have  good 
caufe  to   believe   ihe  was   an    humble    waiter 

therein. 


-1 

4 


(  197  ) 
therein,  which  adminiftered  edification  to  the 
folid  beholder.  Her  heart  and  houfe  were  open 
to  her  friends,  whom  to  entertain,  feemed  one 
of  her  greateft  pleafures ;  was  prudently  cheer- 
ful, and  well  knowing  the  value  of  friendfliip, 
was  careful  not  to  wound  it  herfclf,  nor  en- 
courage others  in  whifpering  and  publifhino^ 
their  failings  or  fuppofed  weakneifes. 

Her  lail  illnefs  confined  her  about  three 
months,  being  often  in  great  bodily  pain,  but 
favoured  with  much  calmnefs  of  mind  and 
fweetnefs  of  fpirit,  which  rendered  her  confine- 
ment more  eafy  to  herfelf  and  thofe  with  her, 
which  alfords  matter  of  encouragement  to  fur- 
vivors,  to  prefs  after  the  mark  of  the  high  cal- 
ling in  Chriil  Jefus.  She  departed  this  life 
the  ^ot/j  of  the  third  month,  1762,  asonefal- 
lingafleep,  full  of  days,  like  unto  a  iTiock  of 
corn  fully  ripe.  Her  body  was  interred  on 
the  ijl  of  the  fourth  month  following,  in 
Iriends  burying-ground  at  Haddonfield,  being 
accompanied  by  many  friends  and  others,  where 
a  folid  meeting  was  held;  aged  about  ei^^hty- 
two  vears. 


A  Tejlimzny  from  Woodbridge  Monthly  Meeting 
in   Xew-Jerfey,    cojicerning    Anna   Wes- 

S  T  E  R. 

A  NX  A  WEBSTER,  an  elder,  wife  of 
-^ -^  John  Webller,  of  Plainfield,  departed  this 
life  the  2zth  day  of  the  fifth  month,  1762,  in 
the  thirty-fixth  year  of  her  age.      She  v/as'fa- 

O   3  voured 


(    J98    ) 

voured  when  young,  to  have  her  mind  turned 
to  him  who  is  able  to  preferve  all  that  put  their 
truft  in  himj  and  by  her  obedience  to  the 
manifeftations  of  divine  light,  ihc  was  enabled 
to  condud:  herfelf  in  a  fteady  and  upright  man- 
ner ;  and  in  the  time  of  her  laft  ficknefs,  gave 
much  ufeful  and  inftruftive  advice  to  her  huf- 
band,  children  and  friends.  She  divers  times 
entreated  her  hufband,  *  To  give  up  to  the 
Lord's  difpofings,  and  not  to  be  over  troubled 
about  her,*  expreffing,  '  Her  dependance  on 
the  Lord,  and  refignation  to  his  will,'  with 
defires,  '  That  the  Lord  would  be  with,  and 
comfort  him,  and  that  he  might  feek  for  hea- 
venly wifdom,  and  thereby  be  directed  how 
to  walk  before  the  Lord,  and  bring  up  their 
children  in  his  fear,  that  they  may  have  a  por- 
tion in  heaven  ;'  charging  her  children,  *  To 
confider  the  poor,  and  adminiller  to  their 
neceffities/ 

At  a  time,  fpeaking  to  her  eldcft  fon,  flie  laid. 
My  dear  child,  let  it  never  be  faid  of  thee, 
The  ioxts  have  holes,  and  the  birds  of  the 
air  liave  nells,  but  the  Son  of  man  hath  not 
whereon  to  lay  his  head."  She  earneilly  im- 
portuned friends,  *  To  keep,  not  only  them- 
felves,  but  their  offspring,  to  week-day  meet- 
ings, and  teach  them  to  wait  on  the  Lord, 
that  he  might  mercifully  blefs  them.'  Alfo 
recommended,  *  Unity  amongll  friends,'  ex- 
preffing *  her  forrow  in  the  breach  thereof,' 
and  urged  clofely,  *  the  ncceffity  of  living  in 
'  love;'  entreating  friends  *  to  notice  her  huf- 
^   band  and  children  in  their  dillref?,  and  watch 

*  over 


\ 


(      199     ] 

*  over  and  advife  her  children,   not  /paring  to 

*  tell  them  their  faults.* 

She  advifed  her  children,   *  In  all  their  un- 

*  dertakings  to  feek  the  Lord  for  counfel,   ef- 

*  pecially  in  that  of  choofing  companions,' 
and  expreffed  her  experience  of  favours  received 
thereby,    faying,     *  She  had   often    magnified 

*  that  gracious  hand  which  was  with  her  when 
'  a  poor  orphan    child;   and   preffed  them    to 

*  ferve  the  Lord  in  their  youth,  which  would 

*  draw    divine   bleffings    on    them^*    adding, 

*  There  are  excellent  accounts  of  God's  love 

*  to  fuch  as  give  up  all  in  their  youth;'  and 
charged    them  *  To   avoid  bad   company,  and 

*  keep  to  plainnefs;'  ftrongly  advifing,  *  again  ft 

*  difobedience  to  parents.' 

At  a  time  when  feveral  young  people  were 
preient,  one  of  whom  was  light  and  airy,  fhe 
teftified  againft  her  vain  pra(5lices  in  very  mov- 
ing expreffions,  and  informed  her,   *  That  the 

*  enemy  would  incline  the  mind  in  meetings, 

*  to  fuch    vanities   as    v/ere    practifed    out   of 

*  meetings.' 

She  was  divers  times  concerned  in  fervent 
prayer  and  fupplication  to  the  Almighty,  '  That 

*  ihe  might  have  fure  hope  before  her  change, 
'  and  bear  patiently  her  diftrefs  ;   and  for  the 

*  poor    afflicted    feed,   that    the    Lord's    work 

*  might  be  carried  on  in  the  earth,  and  that  he 

*  would  deftroy  all  the  inventions  of  the  ene- 
my, which  lead   people  to  fin  againft  him.' 

Many  more  deep  and   weighty  expreffions  flie 
uttered,  which  for  brevity  fake  are  omitted. 

May  the  dying  penetrating  language  of  one, 
whole  general  conduct   was    virtuous,  have  a 

O  4  proper 


^ 


1 


(       200       ) 

proper  impreflion  on  our  minds,  and  ftir  us  up 
to  prepare  for  our  great  and  final  change,  is  our 
fincere  defirc. 


A  Tejlmony  from  Chefterfield  Monthly-Meeting 
in  New-Jcrfey,  concerning  Sarah  Murfin. 

'T^HIS  worthy  woman  was  one  whom  it 
•*  pleafed  the  Lord,  to  call  out  of  the  broad 
way  and  vanities  of  the  world,  and  make  ac- 
quainted with  his  bleiTed  truth ;  and  as  fhe 
abode  under  the  crofs,  it  pleafed  they\lmighty 
to  manifeft  unto  her,  that  fhe  was  a  chofen 
vefl'el  or  inflrument  for  his  fervice,  to  preach 
the  gofpel.  She  was  fervent  in  prayer,  fer^ 
viceable  in  vifiting  families,  and  her  godly 
example  in  life  and  converfation,  great  humi- 
lity and  felf-denial,  much  adorned  her  minif- 
try;  careful  to  bring  up  her  family  in  the  fear 
of  the  Lord,  and  in  plainnefs  of  fpeech  and 
apparel;   being  indeed  a  mother  in  Ifrael. 

We  fervently  defire  that  the  great  Lord  of 
the  harveft  may  be  pleafed  to  continue  to  his 
church  and  people,  a  living  miniftry  ;  and  that 
many  may  be  made  willing  to  run  his  errands, 
and  be  ferviceable  in  his  hand,  as  was  this  our 
worthy  friend,  who  departed  this  life  the  26/^6 
of  thefeventh  month,  1762,  aged  about  feventy- 
fix  years. 


A  TeJJimouy 


> 


(     201      ) 

A  Tejlimonyfrom  Rah  way  Monthly-Meeting  in 
New-Jerfey,  concerning  Eleanor  Shot- 
well. 

ELEANOR  SHOTWELL,  latewifeof 
Jacob  Shotwell,  of  Rahway,  was  a  tender- 
hearted friend,  and  encouraged  fuch  as  fought 
the  Lord.  She  was  an  elder  of  found  judg- 
ment, concerned  for  the  churches  welfare,  and 
that  Zion  might  be  reitored  to  her  primitive 
beauty,  and  was  a  pattern  of  plainnefs  and  felf- 
denial.  In  the  niiuh  month,  1762,  being  on 
her  journey  to  attend  the  yearly-meeting  at 
Philadelphia,  a  friend  mentioned  the  danger  of 
going  to  faid  city,  on  account  of  an  infedlious 
diilemper  then  prevalent  there;  to  which  fhe 
replied,   *  She  had  no  fear  on  that  account,  and 

*  that  it  was  no  matter  where  we  departed  the 

*  world,  fo  that  we  were  in  our  duty.*  She 
accoidingly  went  to  the  meeting,  and  attended 
the  fittings  of  it,  until  flie  was  fuddenly  feized 
with  a  violent  diforder,  attended  with  extreme 
pain  near  three  days,  which  ihe  bore  with  a 
calm  and  even  mind.  To  a  friend  who  vifited 
her,  flie  faid,  *  She  was  almoll  gone,  and  in 
'  great  pain  of  body,  but  exceeding  peace  of 
'  mind.'  At  another  time  faid,  *  It  was  fatif- 
^  fadory  that  her   peace   was   made  with  the 

*  Lord,  and  that  it  would  be  terrible  to  have  a 

*  wounded  confcience  at  fuch  a  time  to  flrug- 

*  i^le    with.'      Concerning   her    hufband    and 
children    whom    Ihe    dearly    loved,    fhe    faid, 

*  Though  (lie  was  not  like  to  fee  them  more, 

*  Ihe  was  glad  in  the  Lord  that  (Le  had  given 

'   up 


(       202       ) 

'  up  to  attend  the  yearly-meeting/  expreflin^ 
her   dcfire,    *  That  her    offspring    fhould    be 

*  brought  up   in   plainneis,    and  that  friends 

*  watchful  care  might  be  over  them;  and  that 

*  her  huiband  might  be  preferved  in  felf-de^ 

*  nial,  and  humble  refignation  to  the  Lord's 

*  will,  in  all  his  trials/ 

She  departed  this  life  on  the  2d  day  of  the 
tenth  month,  1762,  in  the  forty-fixth  year  of 
her  age,  and  was  interred  in  friends  buryin^- 
ground  at  Philadelphia.  ^ 


A  "Tefthnony  from  Burlington  Moiithly-Meetin 
in  New-Jerfey,  concerning  Peter  Fearon/ 


g 


pj  E  was  the  fon  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Fear- 
on,  of  Great-Broughton,  in  Cumberland, 
and  born  in  or  about  the  year  1683.     He  came 
amongft  friends  on   a  principle  of  convince- 
ment,  during  his  apprenticeihip  with  his  uncle 
Peter  Fearon,^  and  appeared  in  a  few  words  in 
meetings,  before  he  was  twenty  years  of  ao-e. 
In  the  latter  end  of  1707,  with  the  concur- 
rence of  friends,  he  left   England,  and  landed 
in  Virginia,  where  he  ftaid  about  three  months, 
then  came  to  Burlington  in  the  fecond  month, 
1704,  and  from  that  time   until   his  deceafe,' 
he  was  a  ufeful  member  of  this  mcetinc>. 

Between  the  years  1704  and  i73o,''he  tra- 
velled in  the  fervice  of  thegofpel,  through  moll 
parts  of  this  continent  where  meetings  were 
then  fettled,  and  to  fome  provinces^ feveral 
times;  and  employed  above  two  years  in  viht- 

iniT 


(      203     ) 

iiig  friends  In  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland; 
returning  with  fatisfadtory  certificates  of  the 
approbation  and  unity  of  friends  with  his  re- 
ligious labours. 

After  thofe  travels,  his  worldly  circumftan- 
ces  being  attended  with  difficulties,  and  his 
defires  earneft  that  he  might  get  through  them 
with  credit,  he  went  many  voyages  to  fea  as  a 
faftor,  chiefly  to  Bofton  and  the  ifland  of  Bar- 
badoes ;  and  through  many  difficulties  he  was 
enabled  to  pay  his  debts,  and  to  fave  fufficient, 
with  induftry  and  care,  to  yield  a  comfortable 
fubfiftence  in  old  age,  and  to  be  helpful  to  fomc 
others.  In  thofe  undertakings  he  took  certi- 
ficates, and  returned  fuch  as  were  very  fit  is  fac- 
tory, both  of  his  diligence  in  his  outward  bufi- 
nefs,  and  of  his  care  to  edifv  the  churches  with 
the  gift  of  miniftry,  which  had  been  com- 
mitted to  him.  Whilft  in  Earbadocs  in  the 
beginning  of  1746,  a  concern  came  upon  him 
to  vifit  friends  on  Tortola,  which  bv  their  lar;^c 
and  full  certificate,  appears  to  have  been  very 
feafonable ;  and  was  the  firft  after  our  worthy 
friends  Thomas  Chalkley,  John  Cadwallader, 
and  John  Eftaugh,  had  laid  down  their  heads 
in  peace  among  them.     They  fay,   *  He  came 

*  ill  a  needful  time,  as  a  cloud  full  of  rain  upon 

*  a  thirlly  land,  greatly  to  our  mutual  comfort 

*  and  joy  in  the  Lord,  and  in  one  another.* 

One  of  his  laft  voyages  by  fea,  was  in  1750, 
and  on  purpofe  to  perform  a  religious  vifit  to 
friends  in  Barbadoes  and  Tortola,  having  our 
Iriend  Thomas  Lancafier  for  his  companion  ; 
and  when  they  had  performed  their  fervice,  the 
laid  friend  was,  after  a  iharp  ficknefs,   removed 

by 


f 


(       204       ) 

fcy  death  at  fea.  Befides  this,  he  met  with 
other  fore  trials  in  his  pilgrimage  through  life, 
particularly  in  the  long  confinement  of  his 
wife,  who  was  feizcd  with  the  paify  five  years 
before  her  death,  and  lay  moft  of  that  time  en- 
tirely helplefs.  His  behaviour  towards  her, 
was  as  an  affectionate  hufband,  with  much  ten- 
dernefs  and  care ;  and  indeed  his  frequent  prac- 
tice of  vifiting  the  fick  and  afflicTred,  evidenced 
a  fympathizing  heart,  and  was  very  becoming 
his  ftation. 

He  was  preferved  in  the  exercife  of  his 
miniftry,  in  much  love  and  gofpel  fimplicity. 
And  his  fenfeof  the  nature  and  fpirit  in  which 
the  difcipline  fhould  be  managed,  is  thus  ex- 
preffed  in  an  epiftle  which  he  wrote  to  friends 
on  Tortola,  viz.   *  That  you  may  grow  up  to- 

*  gether  a  fpiritual  houfe  that  holinefs  becomes, 

*  and  a  care  according  to  gofpel  order,  may  be 

*  kept  to  amongft  you,  and  that  no  harflinefs 

*  be  ufed  one  towards  another,  but  tender  and 

*  helpful,  and  not  apt  to  judge  or  cenfure  one 

*  another;  that  you  maybe  kept  in  that  univer- 
'  fal  fpirit  of  love,  that  feeks  the  good  of  all, 
'  and  hurt  of  none,  and  yet  gives  all  their  due, 
'  and  what  is  right  and  ]u{i/ 

His  diligence  m  attending  religious  meet- 
ings was  remarkable,  for  though  he  lived  three 
miles  from  the  particular  meeting  of  Burlino-, 
ton,  to  which  he  belonged,  it  was'very  uncom- 
mon for  bodily  infirmities,  or  any  extremities 
of  weather,  to  keep  him  at  home  on  meeting 
days  ;  and  the  year  before  his  deceafe,  he  vifit- 
ed  feveral  general  meetings,  both  in  this  and 
the  neighbouring  provinces. 

A  lif^ 


(       20J       ) 

A  life  fo  fpent  in  fervent  endeavours  to  pro- 
mote truth  and  righteoufnefs  among  mankind, 
was,  we  have  caufe  to  hope,  in  a  fuitable  pre- 
paration to  be  clofed  at  a  fliort  warning.  He 
was  feized  by  a  fit  at  his  own  fire  fide,  which 
quickly  deprived  him  of  underftanding,  and 
about  three  days  after  he  breathed  his  laft,  on 
the  2ijl  of  the  twelfth  month  1762,  in  the 
feventy-ninth  year  of  his  age,  having  been  a 
minifter  about  60  years.  He  was  interred  on 
the  23^  in  friends  burying-ground  at  Burling- 
ton, after  a  folid  meeting  held  on  the  occafion. 

Having  obferved  {iritt  temperance  and  mo- 
deration, he  finiflied  his  courfe  in  a  good  old 
age  ;  being  an  example  of  prudence  and  fteadi- 
nefs,  which  we  defire  may  be  often  remembered, 
and  ufefully  improved  to  the  advantage  of  fuch 
as  are  left  behind. 


A  Tejlhnony  from  Shrewibury  Monthly-Meeting 
in  Nevv-Jerfey,  concerning  Thomas  Til- 
ton. 


/^N  the  4//5  day  of  the  firft  month  1763,  died 
^-^  our  friend  Thomas  Tilton,  in  the  feventy- 
ninth  year  of  his  age,  fome  of  whofe  laft  expref- 
fions  were  as  follow,  viz. 

'  That  his  paffage  was  very  long  and  hard, 
and  many  times  prayed  God  to  carry  him 
through;  that  his  poor  wife's  trouble  was 
greater  for  him  than  fhe  could  well  endure; 
and  that  he  was  not  infenfible,  ihe  laboured 
*  for   him   both    in   body  and,  mind.'     Some 

time 


(       206       ) 

time  after  he  faid,   *  It  was  a  comfort  to  him 

*  to  fee  his  children  concerned  for  themfelves/ 
and  defircd  them,    *   to  keep   to  their  duties, 

*  for  there  was  a  flilling  away   of  fome,  but 

*  that  they  might  not  negled  theirs ;  that  they 

*  would  live  in  love  and  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 

*  which  would  be  to  their  advantage,  but  to 

*  live  loofe  and  wanton  would  make  hard  work 
«  on   a  dying  bed;'  obferving,  *  That  people 

*  thought  too  little  of  their  latter  end,  although 

*  they  think  of  it  fometimes,  it  foon  goes  out 

*  of  their  minds/     Then  prayed,  *  That  the 

*  Lord    would    carry    him   through,'   faying, 

*  His  palTage  was  very  hard,  and  his  pain  and 

*  affliftion    great;    yet   his   peace  was  fteady, 
«  for  the  Lord  did  not  charge  him  with  any 

*  thing/ 


4 

i 


AT^ejiimony  from  Rah  way  Monthly- Meethig  in 
New-Jerfey,  concerning  Elizabeth  Hay- 
dock. 

OUR  friend  Elizabeth  Haydock,  late  wife  of 
James  Haydock,  of  Rahway,  was  religi- 
oufly  inclined  from  her  youth,  and  an  early 
pattern  of  fclf-denial  and  plainnefs  to  thofe  of 
her  age  and  fex.  Being  called  to  the  work  of 
the  miniftry,  it  became  a  trial  to  her,  and  fuch 
a  crofs  to  her  own  will  to  give  up  to  the 
Lord's  work,  that  ihe  was  ready  to  give  way 
to  confultations,  and  on  account  of  her  own 
incapacity  and  frailties,  to  quellion  its  being 
his  call ;  fo   that  (as   ihe  exprellcd)  could  fne 

have 


.  I 


I 


,1 

4 


(  207  ) 

have  found  peace,  flie  would  rather  have 
chofen  death  than  obedience;  but  finding  the 
love  of  God,  as  it  is  abode  in,  to  he  ftron^^er 
than  the  world,  fhe  yielded  thereto;  and  con- 
fiding in  the  Lord  alone,  came  forth  an  in- 
ftrument  of  his  own  preparing;  and  con- 
tinuing to  walk  in  the  way  of  felf-denial,  fhe 
grew  in  her  gift,  increafing  both  in  under- 
Handing  and  utterance  to  the  clofe  of  her 
days. 

In  her  lafl:  illnefs,  ihe  fignihed,  *  flie  had 
'  near  done  with  time,  and  was  fully  refigned;' 
and  departed  this  lifl^  in  the  feventh  month 
1763,  in  the  twenty-fcvcnth  year  of  her  a^e, 
and  the  ^tb  of  her  liiiniftrv.  ^  ' 


A  Tejiimony  from  Exeter  Monthly-Meetijig  in 
Pennfyivania,  cciicrrning  Ellis  Hugh. 

'TpHOUGH  few  of  us  were  perfonally  ac- 
^  ^  quainted  with  this  our  dear  ancient  friend 
in  the  early  part  of  his  life,  yet  as  we  have  in- 
formation by  good  authorities,  of  fome  things 
remarkable  therein,  we  think  it  not  amifs  to 
tranfmit  fome  hints  of  them,  with  what  hath 
fallen  out  within  the  compafs  of  our  know- 
ledge concerning  him. 

He  was  born  in  Merionethfliire,  in  the 
principality  of  Wales,  and  came  over  with 
his  parents  into  Pennfyivania,  when  about 
tv/elve  years  of  age. 

^  He  was  naturally  of  a  very  cheerful  difpo- 
htion,  and  for  fome  time  indulged  himfelf  in 

keeping 


(       208       ) 

keeping   company  with   fuch,   whofe  conver- 
fation  andconduft  were  unprofitable  and  vain  : 
for  which,  though   we  do  not   underftand  he 
was  guilty  of  immoral  pradtices,  he  was  clofely 
reproved  by  the  witnels  of  God  in  fecret,  and 
his  condition  being  thereby  plainly  manifefted 
to  him,  as  likewife  the  danger  of  purfuing  fuch 
courfes,  he  did  not  dare  to  go  any  longer  in 
vanity;    but  fubmitting  to  the  reproofs  of  in- 
ftrudion,    was  brought   under   great    exercife 
and  godly   forrow.     In  w^hich  ftate,   the  con- 
verfation   of  his  former  companions,  once  his 
delight,  became  a  burden,   and   increafed  his 
diftrefs ;  but  avoiding  to  feed  their  light  airy 
difpofitions,    keeping    his    mind    retired,    and 
reading  the  Holy  Scriptures,  when  they  fought 
to  entice  him,   had  fuch  an  effed,  that  they 
forfook  him  ;   which  was  a  great  eafe  to  his 
mind,  in  that  it  afforded  him  opportunity  for 
a  further  fearch  after  the  will  of  him,  who  in 
mercy  had  called  him  to  glory  and  virtue.     As 
he  was  thus   engaged,  after  many  deep  bap- 
tifms    and  trials,   it  pleafed  the  Lord,   about 
the  thirty-fourth  year  of  his  age,   to  call  him 
to  the   work  of  the  miniftry ;  which  was  an 
exceeding    humbling    exercife    to    him,    and 
many   fore  conflitts   he   had  therein,   through 
the  buftetings  of  Satan  ;   but  by  endeavouring 
to   follow   the  Lord  in  the  way  of  his  requir- 
ings,    help    was    adminiflcred,    fo   that    he   at 
times,  had  to  experience,    that  he  gives  **  the 
**  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  the  garment 
*'  of  praiie  for  the  fpirit  of  heavinefs.* 

His  chief  inducement    to  come  and  fettle 
in   thefe  parts,   was  a  ftrong  draught  of  love 

attending 


(     209     ) 

attending  his  mind,  which  however  he  did 
not  haftily  give  way  to,  having  felt  drawings 
hither  near  eight  years  before  he  came;  of  ib 
great  moment  did  the  removing  himfelf  and 
family  appear  to  him. 

He  was  a  diligent  attender  of  firft  and  week 
day  meetings  for  worlliip,  as  alfo  of  our 
monthly,  quarterly,  and  yearly  meetings,  even 
when  age  and  infirmity  of  body  rendered  tra- 
velling very  difficult  to  him.  He  likewife 
vifited  fome  of  the  neighbouring  provinces  on 
truth's  fervice,  with  the  unity  of  friends;  and 
by  accounts  which  we  have  had  from  the 
places  he  vifited,  his  labours  of  love  were  well 
received  and  ferviceable. 

From  the  time  of  his  coming  amongfl  us, 
he  was  always  one  of  the  number,  who  went 
on  the  vifit  to  friends  families;  which  weighty 
work  he  undertook  in  much  diffidence  of  him- 
felf, and  fear  of  a  forward  fpirit,  often  faying, 

*  That  former  appointments  and  engagements 
'  thereto,   were  of  no  account  for  future  kr-- 

*  vices;   but  that  fuch  as  went,  muft  wait  for 

*  renewed  qualifications   to  enter    upon    that 

*  work,'   which  he  ufed  to  fay,  *  He  thought 

*  mull   be    a   good    one,    fince    it    occafioned 
'  greater  nearnefs,  and  was  a  renewal  of  love, 

*  both   among    vifitors    and    vifited:'    and   by 
accounts  received  it  was  fo  in  a  good  deoree. 

In  meetings  for  worfliip  he  was  a  good  ex- 
ample in  filent  patient  waiting  upon  the  Lord, 
and  when  railed  to  bear  a  public  teltimony, 
it  was  with  that  power  and 'authority,  which 
accompanies  a  true  goipel  miniller,  and  hath 
made   lafting  impreffions   upon    fome   minds. 

i*  Though 


(       210       ) 

Though  he  was  of  an  exceeding  tender  difpo- 
fition,  yet  being  a  lover  of  good  order  in  the 
church,  and  well  knowing  the  dangerous  ten- 
dency of  undue  liberty,  he,  both  by  precept 
and  example,  endeavoured  to  promote  the 
former,  and  difcourage  the  latter;  in  which 
he  gave  repeated  proofs,  that  the  near  con- 
nexions of  natural  kindred  did  not  bias  his 
judgment. 

His  deportment  being  meek  and  loving, 
and  his  converfation  familiar  and  inltruftivety 
cheerful,  gained  him  the  eiteem  of  moft  who 
knew  him,  of  different  ranks  and  religious 
perfuafions.  He  was  a  nurfing  father  in  the 
church,  and  particularly  fo  to  divers  whom 
the  Lord  had  vifited  that  were  under  affliction, 
whether  of  body  or  mind;  nor  w'as  his  charity 
in  this  refpeft  confined  to  the  members  of  our 
fociety. 

He  was  an  affedionate  hulhand,  a  tender 
parent,  a  kind  mafter;  and  having,  by  the 
bleffing  of  Divine  Providence  on  hishonelt  in- 
durtry,  obtained  a  competency  of  the  necef- 
faries  of  life,  was  very  hofpitable,  entertaining 
both  friends  and  others  freely  and  kindly, 
not  with  oftentation  or  for  applaufe,  but  for 
the  promotion  of  piety  and  virtue,  and  the 
good  of  mankind. 

As  his  natural  ftrength  abated  in  the  laft 
years  of  his  life,  he  app'eared  more  bright  and 
lively  in  his  public  miniltry,  both  at  home 
and  abroad;  and  the  day  he  was  taken  ill  of 
his  lall  ficknels,  at  the  funeral  of  one  of  hii 
fens,  which  was  the  lall  meeting  he  was  at, 
he  was  remarkably  favoured  in  his  public  teiK- 

iViOny 


(      211       ) 

mony  to  a  large  gathering  of  people;  and  in 
fupplication  at   the   fame   meeting,    his   great 
Lord   and   Mafter   was  pleafed   to  favour  him 
with  a  tranfcendent  view  into  the   beauty  of 
holinefs,  crowning  a  life,  great  part  of  which 
had  been,   according  to  the  meafure  received, 
devoted  to  his  honour,  with  evident  tokens  of 
his    being  near  to   the   kingdom  of  reft  and 
peace  everlafting.     And  the  fame  evening  he 
was   taken   ill   at   his   own    houfe   in    Exeter 
aforefaid,  and  continued  for  about  eleven  days, 
moftly   in  extreme  pain,  yet  bore  it  with  pa- 
tience and  refignation  to  the  divine  will ;   and 
though  he  inclined  much  to  be  ftijl  and  quiet, 
uttered  many  comfortable  expreffions,  fome  of 
\yhich  were  taken  down  in   writing.      At  one 
time  he  faid,  '  It  is  a  fine  thing  to  have  a  clear 

*  confcience.*     And   one   morning,   *   Here  is 

*  another  day.  Lord   fo  preferve  me  through 
it,   that   I   may  do  nothing  to  ofiend  thee.' 

In  the  evening  he  faid,  '  Lord  blefs  this  night 

to  me.*  And  taking  fomething  to  give  him 
eafe,  he  faid,  *  He  that  turned  water  into  wine 
'  is  able  to  give  a  bleffing.*  After  laying  ftill 
fome  time,    faid,  '  Sorrow  at  night,   but  joy 

Cometh  in  the  morning.'  And  in  the  morn- 
ing he  faid,  *  I  remember  a  dream  I  had  about 

fitty  years  ago;  I  thought  I  was  in  a  room 
I  alone,  juft  going  to  die,   and  as  I  was  much 

concerned    and  troubled   becaufe   there  was 

*  no  one  prefent  to  fee  me  die,  I  thought  the 
^'  great  phyiician  of  value  ftood  by  me  and  faid, 

*  /i^'///  ie  rAth  thee:  and  I  have  a  little  faith, 
'^  that  he  will  be  with  me,  and  if  I  am  favoured 
'  With  my  fenfes,   hope  I  fhall  not  give  over 

P  2  *  wrellling 


(       212       ) 

*  wreftling  for  a  blefling.'  A  little  before 
noon  he  faid,  *  Lord,  this  is  the  wav  of  mortal 

*  men,  when  they  come  to  lie  on  a  fick-bed, 

*  they  crave  thy  favour ;  though  at  other  times 

*  many  are  forgetful  of  thee/  At  another 
time  he  faid,  *  Though  afflidion  may  not  feem 

*  pleafant  during  its  continuance,  yet  it  work- 

*  eth  an  exceeding  great  joy  to  them  that  love 

*  and  fear  God.'  And  in  the  evening,  being 
in  great  bodily  pain,  faid,  *  Lord,  give  me  eafe 

*  if  it  be  thy  blelled  will.'  The  next  day, 
being  the  firll  day  of  the  week,  feveral  friends 
came  to  fee  him  before  meeting,  to  whom  he 
faid,   *  Fear  God  and  ferve  him,  and  his  re- 

*  gard  will  be  unto  you;  but  if  you  negledt  to 

*  worfliip  him,  he  will  caft  you  off*  for  ever,' 
or  words  nearly  to  that  import.  And  be- 
ing fearful  they  would  over  flay  the  time  for 
meeting,  inquired  what  hour,  faying  to  them, 
'  Do  not  negleft  the  bufinefs  of  the  Lord  :' 
and  when  they   were  going,    defired,    *  They 

*  would    remember  him  when    it    was    well 

*  with  them.*  In  the  evening  inquiring  what 
fort  of  a  meeting  they  had  that  day,  and  be- 
ing anfwered,  a  good  meeting;  he  faid  with 
feeming  joy,  *  The  Lord  is  not  limited  to  per- 

*  fons,    but  all  that  worlhip  him  aright  ihall 

*  be  accepted  of  him,'  or  words  to  that  effed:. 
A  little  after  midnight,  being  in  great  bodily 
pain,  and  from  the  fymptoms,  it  was  thought 
for  about  an  hour  he  was  departing,  during 
which  he  appeared  to  have  his  mind  retired 
to  the  Lord,   and  then  reviving  a  little,  faid, 

*  This  has  been  a  bleffed  meeting.'  The  next 
morning  taking  leave  of  a  neighbour,  he  faid, 

*  Farewell, 


(     213     ) 

'  Farewell,  and  if  we  never  meet  again  in  this 
'  world,  I  hope  we  fhall  meet  in  a  more  priori- 
*  ous  place   among  the  righteous.'     The  day 
before  his  departure,  his  fpeech  failed  much 
though  he  remained  very  fenfible  ;  and  the  laft 
words  he   was  heard  to  fay,  were,   '  Lord  in 
'  heaven    receive    my    foul.'     Then   ^rowine 
weaker  until  the   third  hour   next  nfornin/ 
bemgthe   ju/j  of  the  firft  month,    1764   he 
departed  this  life,  in  a  quiet  frame  of  mind 
aged  feventy-fix  years,  and  fome  months.    His 
corps  was  interred  in  friends   burying-ground 
at  Exeter  aforefaid,   accompanied   by  a  lar4 
number  of  his  friends  and  neighbours.  ^ 


^  Tejllmony  from  Bradford  MontUy^Mecthig  in 
Pennfylvania,  co7icerning  Mary  Fennel. 

<g  H  E  was  born  in   Radnorfliire,  in  Wales 
and  educated  by  her  parents  in  the  profef- 
fion   of  the   church  of  England.     About  the 
thirteenth  year  of  her  age,  going  with  her  elder 
liiter  to  a  meeting  of  friends,  who  were  fitting 
in  awful  hlence,  with  tears  dropping  down  the 
cheeks  of  divers,  it  made  fiich  religious  impref- 
hon  on  her  tender  mind,   that  iLe  thereby  be- 
came in    lome  degree  convinced  of  the  truth. 
Hbout  the  fixteenth  year  of  her  age,  flie  arrived 
in  1-ennlylvania,   where  living  in  a  friends  fa- 
mily,  and  experiencing  the  renewed  vifits  of 
truth    liie  became  willing  to  come  more  clofe- 
ly  under  the  difcipline  of  the  crofs,  and  joined 
>/ith  friends;  was  married  to  John  Fennel,  and 

P  3  reiided 


.siaaiiiiL 


(     "4    ^ 

rcfided  within  the  compafs  of  Concord  meeting 
many  years.     Being  divers  years  under  a  weigh- 
ty exercife  to  appear  in  publick  miniftry,  about 
the  year   1722,  fhe  gave  up  thereto,  and  in- 
creafing  in  her  gift,  had  in  time,  a  refrefliing 
edifying  teftimony  ;  being  well  approved  by 
her  friends  at  home,  and  frequently  led  into 
the  ftates  of  meetings  where  her  lot  was  caft. 
In  the  exercife  of  the  miniftry  (he  travelled  in- 
to the  eaftern  provinces,  alfo  into  Great-Bri- 
tain and  Ireland,  where  in  divers   places,   fhe 
had  acceptable  fervice,    to   the  ftrengthening 
fome  tender  minds  in  the  way  and  work  of 
truth.     Afterwards   removing  with  her  huf- 
band  to  Eaft  Cain,  they  refided  there  the  re- 
mainder of  their  time ;  and  feveral  years  before 
her  deceafe,   her  underftanding,   by   reafon  of 
age,   became   weak,    yet  fhe  was  preferved  in 
much  innocency,   having  a  love  and  regard  to 
friends,    and   was   always   pleafed    with    their 

vifits. 

She  died  the  loth  day  of  the  fifth  month, 
1764,  and  was  interred  in  friends  burying- 
ground  at  Eaft  Cain  aforelaid,  aged  eighty-fix 
years. 

\4n  additional  Teflimony  concerning  Marv  Fen- 
nel, by  a  friend  from  Great-Britain. 

HAVING  read  the  preceding  memorial, 
concerning  our  worthy  deceafed  friend, 
Mary  Fennel,  it  is  in  my  heart  to  make  a 
fmall  addition  thereto.     In  the  courfe  of  her 

travels 


1 


(         115        ) 

travels  In  England,  ftie  vifited   friends  at  Ipf. 
wich  in  Suffolk,   and  had  good  and  acceptable 
fervice  there,  among  a  number  of  young  per- 
fons  who  were  newly  convinced  of  the  truth. 
Her  converfation  was  folid  and  inftrudive,  ac- 
companied with  fweetnefs  of  fpirit,  and  having 
obtained  to  a   confiderable  growth  in  experi- 
mental religion,  flie  fpoke  in  a  feeling  eftedual 
rnanner  to  our   inward   ftates.     At  a  certain 
time  giving  fome  account  of  her  own  convince- 
ment,  flie  faid,   *  In  her  very  young  days,  flie 
'  was  a  watchful  obferver  of  the  condudl  of 
'  friends  at  markets  and  publick  places,  that 

*  llie  might  fee  whether  in  their  dealings  they 
'  kept  to  the  principle  of  truth,  of  which  Ihe 

*  was  convinced;  and  feeing  their  words  were 

*  few  and  favoury,  their  countenances  and  be- 
^  haviour  weighty,  and  that  they  were  juft  and 

upright  in  their  commerce  amongft  men,  it 
'  had  a  great  tendency  to  confirm  and  eftablifli 
'  her  mind  in  the  truth  ftie  had  embraced/ 

/.  11. 


A  TejVwmiy  from  the  Monthly-Meeting  d?/ Phi- 
ladelphia,   coficerning    Rachel    Pember^ 

TON. 

g  HE  was  born  at  Burlington,  in  Weft-New- 
Jerfey,  in  the  year  1691,  being  the  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  Read,  who  was  one  of  the  early 
\^u'^  ^^  Fennfylvania  under  the  grant  to 
VV  ilham  Penn.     It  pleafed  the  Lord  to  extend 

P  4  his 


I 


(     2i6     ) 

his  gracious  vifitation  to  her  in  her  tender  age, 
which  as  flie  fubmitted  to  and  abode  under,  Ihe 
happily  experienced  to  lead  her  into  a  life  of 
righteoufnefs  and  great  circumfpedion.  A- 
bout  the  eighteenth  year  of  her  age,  fhe  was 
married  to  our  worthy  friend  Ifrael  Pember- 
ton,  who  united  with  her  in  a  pious  concern 
for  the  profperity  and  prevalence  of  the  caufe 
of  truth,  her  fincere  love  to  which,  and  the 
friends  thereof,  ilie  uniformly  manifefted  by  her 
kind  fympathetic  care  as  a  **  Mother  in  Ifrael/' 
She  ulefully  filled  the  ftation  of  an  overfeer  and 
elder,  being  carefully  concerned  to  rule  her 
own  family  well,  and  that  her  offspring  might 
have  a  portion  in  that  treafure  which  faileth 
not.  She  was  a  true  fympathizer  with  thofe 
under  affliction  of  body  or  mind,  dcmonftrat- 
ing  her  fenfibility  herein,  by  her  frequent 
vifits  to  fuch,  which  were  weighty  and  com- 
forting, her  convcrfation  being  folid  and  in- 

ftrudtive. 

In  the  firfl:  month  1754,  it  pleafcd  Divine 
Providence  to  deprive  her  of  her  beloved  huf- 
band,  in  whom  was  removed,  atather,  a  friend, 
and  counfellor  to  her  and  the  church;  which 
clofe  trial  (after  40  years  living  together  in 
much  harmony)  ilic  was  enabled  to  bear  with 
Chriflian  calmnefs  and  refignation  ;  having 
often  to  experience  the  reality  of  that  truth 
left  upon  record,  *'  A  father  to  the  fatherlefs, 
^^  and  a  judge  for  the  widow,  is  God  in  his 
*'  holy  habitation." 

She  continued  her  houfe  open  for  the  re- 
ception of  friends  near,  and  from  remote  parts, 
as  il  had  been  in  her  hulband's  tim.e,  particu- 
larly 


5^ 


(     217     ) 

larly  for  the  entertainment  of  thofe  who  came 
from  Europe  on  religious  vifits  to  America, 
with  whom  fhe  was  often  dipt  into  much  feel- 
ing fympathy  under  their  weighty  travel  and 

exercife. 

Few  have  been  more  zealoufly  concerned, 
and  diligent  in  the  attendance  of  religious 
meetings,  feldoni  allowing  the  inclemency  of 
weather  to  prevent  her;  and  continued  to  ma- 
nifell:  the  like  concern  when  very  feeble  ;  which 
diligence  was,  in  the  time  of  her  confinement 
and  languifliing  ftate,  a  fatisfadory  refledior^ 
to  her,  as  her  attendance  had  been  from  a  real 
f^nic  and  perfuafion  of  duty. 

On  the  22^  day  of  the  tenth  month,  1764, 
ilie  attended  the  fecond  day's  meeting  of  mi- 
iiifters  and  elders,  which  was  the  lail:  meeting 
ihe  was  at,  her  feeble  ftate  requiring  her  con- 
finement to  her  chamber  the  z^t/j,  and  gradu- 
ally weakened  ;  yet  love  to  the  caufe  of  truth 
continued,  and  her  concern  was  great,  that 
the  profefibrs  thereof  might  live  under  its 
preferving  influence. 

She  uttered  many  lively  expreffions  at  dif-^ 
fcrcnt  times  in  the  courfe  of  her  illnefs,  in  ac- 
knowledgment of  the  goodnefs  and  mercy  of 
the  Lord,   *  In  preferving  her  in  patience  un- 

*  der  great  bodily  pain,  and  with  an  evidence 

*  of  her  future  well-beino:. 

she  departed  this  life,  on  the  24M  day  of 
tlie  fecond  month,  176^,  and  was  interred  in 
our  burial-ground  in  this  city,  on  the  27/^6  of 
the  lame  month. 


A  T^ejlbnony 


(     ii8    ) 


A  TeJUmony  from  G  wy ncdd  Monthly. Meet ',,17 
tn  Pcnnfyhanhconcermng  Ellen  Evans. 
an  elder  of  Jatd  Meeting. 

SHE  was  the   daughter  of  Rowland   and 
Margaret  Ellis,  born  near  Dollegelle,  in 
the  Principahty  of  Wales,  in  the  year  168  c 
She  was  favoured  with  a  good  underftandinj! 
which  being  improved  by  a  religious  education 
and  ftridb  attention  to  the  dilates  of  divine 
grace    foon    diftinguifhcd  her  as  one  feekin- 
after  heavenly  treafure,    which  made   her  in 
riper  years,  an  honourable  member  of  fociety 
She  married  our  worthy  and  much  efteemed 
friend  John  Evans,  of  this  place,  to  whom  Hie 
was  truly  a  help-meet,  more  efpecially  in  pub- 
lie  religious  fervices ;  for  whenever  fhe  difco- 
vered  the  leaft  inclination  in  him,  to  vifit  the 
meetings  of  friends  whether  far  or  near,  (lie 
did  all  m  her  power  to  clierifh  and  encourage 
the  motion  ;  (he  was  alfo  a  great  fupport  and 
comfort  to  h.m  under  his  fpiritual  conflifts 
about  the    time  of   his  appearing  firft  in    a 
public  tefiimony.  ^  ^ 

In  her  family,  fhe  was  an  example  of  piety 
and  induftry,  rifing  early  in  the  morning,  and 
encouraging  others  fo  to  do,  often  obfervin- 
that  thofe  who  lay  late,  loft  the  youthful  beau?/ 
of  tne  day,  and  wafted  the  moft  precious  part 
of  their  time  ;    that  the  fun  was   the  candle 
of  the  world,  which  called  upon  us  to  arife 
and  apply   to  our  feveral  duties.     When   the 
attains  of  the  morning  were  t  ran  ladled,  it  was 
almoft  her  invariable  practice,  except  on  meZ 

ing-dnys, 


(      119     ) 

ing-days,  to  retire  about  noon,  with  the  bible 
or  Ibme  religious  book  ;  where  a  portion  of  her 
time  was  fpent  alone  ;  from  which  retirement 
flie  often  returned  with  evident  tokens,  that 
her  eyes  had  been  bathed  in  tears. 

She  was  remarkably  well  acquainted  with 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  alfo  the  writings  and 
charafters  of  our  ancient  worthy  friends,  toge^ 
ther  with  thofe  of  her  own  time  -,  frequently 
exprcffing,  '  The  many  advantages  (lie  reaped 

*  from    often   converfing  with   the   dead   and 

*  abfent ;  endeavouring  to  cultivate  the  fame 
'  dlfpofition   in  her  family,  by  often   calling 

*  them  together  in  the  winter  evenings,  and 
«  requiring  one  of  her  children  to  read  audibly 
«  in  the  bible,  or  fome  other  religious  book  ;' 
repeatedly  obferving  to  them,    '  The   benefit 

*  which  attended  prefcrving  the  charafters  of 

*  thofe  faithful    minifters    and  elders    in    the 
'  church,  whofe  pious  lives  and  happy  diifo- 

*  lution,  if  held  up  to  the  view  of  pofterity, 

*  might  be  a  likely  means  of  kindling  the  fame 
<  holy   zeal,  and   refolution  to  tread  in    their 
'  footfteps/    And  as  minillring  friends  (whom 
ilie  truly  loved   from  her  infancy  as  brethren 
and  fillers  in  gcfpel  fellow(hip)  in  the  courfe 
of  their  vifits  came  this  way,  generally  lodged 
at  their  houfe,  at  which  times  (lie  feldom  milfed 
to  prepare  her  family,  and  inform  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  an  intention  to  fit  a  while  together 
in    the  evenings    which  fele(^t  opportunities, 
many  can  yet  remember,  were  often  fingularly 
blefled  with  divine  comfort  and  edification. 

Her  diligence  in  attending  meetings  for  re- 
ligious worihip,  was  no  lefs  manifefi:  than  her 

fteady 


(      220      ) 

/leady  zeal  for  fupporti ng  our  Chriftian  difd- 
pline    and   that  we  might  adorn  the  dodrine 
of  God  our  Saviour  ,n  all  things  :  Yet  was  her 
zeal  mixed  with  chanty,  for  having  Ion-  ex- 
penenced  how  few  were  qualified  to  lay  juftice 
precikly  to  the  line,  and  righteoufnefs  to  the 
plumb-line,  flie  thought  it  fafeft  rather  to  in- 
cline to  the  merciful   fide;  firmly  believing, 
that  the  grace  of  God,  which   bringeth  Mvt 
tion,  had  appeared  unto  all  men  ;  delightin? 
toconverfe  with  our  uninftrudted  Indians  about 
the.r  fentiments  of  the  Supreme  Bein<^  •  and 
often  faid,  "  She  difcovered  evident  traces  "f 
divine  goodnefs  in  their  uncultivated  mind«.' 
In  her  fnendlliips  Ihe  was  warm  and  fteadv 
and  on  her  death- bed  earneftly  preffed  her  chill 
dren    '  .\ot  to  forget  the  friends  of  their  father 
and  mother  /  and  the  fenfibilitv  of  her  heart 
made  her  very  attentive  to  the^wants  of  the 
poor  in  her  neighbourhood. 

Some  years   before  her  deceafe.   Hie  loO  m 

he  hulband  of  her  youth,  a  bofom-ftiend   and 

the  greatefl  lupport  of  her  age.   which  proved 

ogrcatatn.I.  ihe  laid,  '  That  if  God  whorn 

Mhe  lovdl,  her  life  long,  had  not  enabled 

.  W'  %       Tr'''-^'"  '""'^  ^''"^  funk  under 
>t.      rb.s  difpenlation  of  Providence  weaned 
her  from  all  temporal  enjoyments.     She  con- 
tinued attending  meetings,  and   frequently  vi- 
l>tnig  the  fick  and  afflidted  while  hJr  ftrennh 
permitted,_  and  when  that  failed,  much  of  her 
time  was  Ipent  in  reading  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
and  in  meditation.  ^         ' 

The  early  liate  of  religion  in  this  province 
was  a  grateful  lubjedt  of  converfuion  to  herhi 

the 


i 

n 


(       221       ) 

the  evening  of  her  day,  but  upon  turning  her 
eye  to  the  prefent  time,  fhe  would  lay  with  a 
deep  figh,    '  Oh !  what  is  become  of  the  morn- 

*  ino-  dew,  and  celeftial  rain,   that  ufed  to  fall 

*  and  reft  upon  our  aflemblies/  For  herfelf, 
flie  often  prayed,  *  That  (lie  might  poffefs  a 
«  lively  relifh  of  truth   to  the  lafl,  and  retaia 

*  the  greennefs   of  youth  in  old   age,  which 

*  God   was  gracioully  pleafed   to   favour    her 

*  with/ 

Her  laft  illnefs  began  about  a  year  before 
her  deceafe,  in  the  fore-part  thereof  llie  felt  a 
lownefs  and  depreflion  of  mind,  that  caufcd 
her  to  cry,  *  Tell  me,  Oh  !  thou  whom  my 
'  foul  loveth,  where  thou  feedeft,   where  thou 

*  makeft  thy  flocks  to  reft  at  noon/  But  af- 
ter fome  time,  this  cloud  v/as  removed,  and 
llie  was  enabled  to  fay,   '  He  brought  me   to 

*  the  banqueting-houfe,  and  his   banner  over 

*  me  was  love/ 

And  thus,  by  remembering  her  Creator  in 
the  days  of  her  youth,  and  a  fteady  perfever- 
ance  therein,  (he  was  enabled  to  meet  the  king 
of  terrors  with  a  ferene  countenance,  and  re- 
figned  her  breath  without  a  figh  or  groan,  the 
2gtA  day  of  the  fourth  month,  and  was  buried 
at  Gwynedd,  the  2^  of  the  fifth  month,  1765; 
being,  we  truft,  admitted  to  the  general  af- 
fembly  and  church  of  the  firlt-born,  which 
are  written  in  heaven. 


j4  Tejiimony 


(       122       ) 

A  Tejltmony  from  Kingwood  Monthly- Meeting 
in  Nevv-Jerfey,  concerning  Samuel  Large. 

^UR  ancient  friend  Samuel  Large,  departed 
^^  this  life,  the  ()th  of  the  fixth  month,  1765, 
and  was  buried   the   nth  of  faid  month,  in 
friends  burying-ground  at  Kingwood,  aged  a- 
bout  feventy-feven  years,  having  been  a  mini- 
fter  upwards  of  40  years.     He  was  religioufly 
inclined  when  young,  infomuch  (as  he  related) 
that  at  times  he  thought  he  could  freely  declare 
to  others  of  the  goodnefs  and  merciful  dealings 
of  God  to  his  foul;  but  for  want  of  giving  dili- 
gent heed  to  the  inlhinings  of  that  divine  light 
which  had  meafurably  redeemed  him,  he  fuf- 
fered  a  lofs  of  that  fweet  and  heavenly  commu- 
nion which  he  had  been  made  a  fliarer  of,  and 
began  to  join   with   folly  and  vanity,  which 
youth  are  apt  to  do ;   but  in  procefs  of  time, 
being  re-vifited   by   an   all-merciful  God,  he 
gave  up  to  bear  the  crofs ;  and  about  the  thir- 
tieth year  of  his   age,    was   made  willing  to 
bear  a  public  tellimony,  and  declare  to  others 
what  God  had  done  for  him;  which  tcftimony 
was  living  and  powerful,  and  tended  to  the  re- 
frefhing  and  watering  the  Lord's  heritage  and 
people  ;   being  often  concerned  where  his  Jot 
was  cail,  to  invite  and  perfuade  people  to  feek 
the  Lord  for  themfelves,  that  they  might  know 
the  work  of  regeneration  wrought  and  com- 
pleatcd  in  and  for  themfelves.     He  freely  gave 
up  to  fpend  both  time  and  fubftance  on  truth's 
account   when  called  thereto,    having   vifited 
feveral  provinces  on  this  continent,  and  fome 

of 


n 


(    223    ) 

of  them  divers  times.  He  was  a  generous  kind 
friend,  ready  to  do  good  to  all,  efpecially  the 
houiliold  of  faith,  very  ready  in  affifting  the 
fervants  and  meflengers  of  Chrift  when  tra- 
velling on  that  account ;  bringing  up  his  chil- 
dren in  the  principles  of  the  Chriflian  reli- 
gion, and  in  plainnefs  of  fpeech  and  apparel; 
a  great  encourager  of  his  family  and  others  in 
attending  meetings,  that  they  might  difcharge 
their  duties  which  they  owed  to  their  Maker. 
In  the  latter  part  of  his  days,  when  old  and 
infirm,  he  met  with  exercifes  and  difficulties ; 
yet  we  have  good  reafon  to  believe,  he  was 
carried  through  them  all,  and  died  in  peace 
with  the  Lord  and  good-will  to  all  mankind, 
and  is  entered  into  reft,  and  reaps  the  reward 
of  the  faithful,  where  trouble  and  exercife 
are  at  an  end.  He  had  a  fight  of  his  approach- 
ing exit,  and  gave  orders  that  his  burial  Ihould 
be  plain.  Some  of  the  laft  words  he  uttered, 
were  to  his  wife,  a  few  hours  before  he  ex- 
pired, when  he  faid,  *  All  is  done  that  is 
*  needful:  now  I  muft  leave  thee.' 


A  Tejllmony  from  New- Garden  Monthly -Meet  ^ 
ing  in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  William 

MoTT. 

/^UR  worthy  friend  William  Mott,  of  Ma- 

^^  maroneck  in  New- York  government,  be- 
ing on  a  religious  vifit  to  friends  in  this  pro- 
vince, after  attending  our  yearly- meeting  at 
Philadelphia,  intended  proceeding  to  Notting- 
ham, 


(      224      ) 

liam,    and   on    his    way   thither,    was  at  our 
monthly  meeting  in  the  tenth  month,   1765, 
where,  after  a  time  of  filence,  he  appeared  in 
a  fliort  yet  fatisfacftory  teftimony;   but   beings 
much   indifpofed,   left  the   meeting  in  a  few 
minutes    afterwards,    and   went    to   a  friend's 
houfe,  where  his  diforder,  which  proved  to  be 
the  fmall-pox,  increafed  and  lay  heavy  upon 
him.   Two  days  afterwards,  fome  friends  going- 
to  vilit  him,  he  mentioned  his  detire  of  havin^ 
a  time  of  retirement  together,  in  which  oppor- 
tunity he  expreffed,    in  a  lively  and  fenfible 
manner,   his   refignatlon   to   the  will   of  God 
refpeding  his  indifpofition,  and  fpoke  of  the 
great  advantage  it  would  be  to  the  members  of 
our  fociety,  if  they  were  more  drawn  from  the 
fpirit  and  friendihip   of   the  world,   and  the 
eager  purfuit  after   the   riches   and   grandeur 
thereof;    faying,    that  the  profeffors  of  truth 
fuffered  great  lofs,  in  a  fpiritual  fenfe,  for  want 
of  being  often  deeply  inward,  when  al3out  their 
lawful  callings,  labouring  to  have  their  minds 
retired,  where  true  comfort  and  inftrudion  is 
to   be  witnelled  ;    and   that  friends,  who  are 
heads  of  families,  ought  to  wait  for  the  mov- 
ings  of  truth,  to  make  way  for  them  to  call 
their  children   and  fervants   together;    and  if 
this  was  but  the  engagement  of  their  minds, 
way  would  be  made  for  fuch  opportunities  be- 
yond their  expedation.     On  which,  and  fome 
other  fubjeds,   he,   at   that  time,  fpoke  in  a 
fenfible  humble  manner. 

At  other  times  he  frequently  mentioned  his 
uneafmefs  in  beholding  that  many  of  the  pro- 
feiibrs  of  truth  did  not  keep  within  the  bounds 

of 


(    2^5    ) 

cf  true  moderation  refpeding  clothing  and  fur-* 
jliture,  but  rather  pleafed  the  natural  difpofi- 
tion,  to  no  real  advantage,  and  confumed  much 
precious  time  that  might  be  profitably  fpent  in 
doing  good  among  mankind;  faying,  that  if 
friends  lived  near  enough  to  the  inward  teacher, 
that  difcovers  things  to  be  as  they  really  are, 
there  are  many  things  amongft  us  termed  fmall 
or  trifling,  which  would  appear  inconfiftent 
with  the  pure  truth. 

Notwithftanding  his  afHidion  wa$  great,  yet 
he  bore  it  with  remarkable  patience,  appearing 
more  concerned  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  the 
good  of  his  church  and  people,  than  any  tem- 
poral confiderations ;  and  frequently  expreffed 
his  refignation  to  the  divine  will,  being  freely 
given  up  either  for  life  or  death.  The  retired 
frame  of  mind  he  generally  appeared  in  was 
inftrudive;  often  faying  he  felt  eafy  in  mind, 
having  witnefled  a  comfortable  refrefliing  fea- 
Ibn,  and  exprefled  his  thankfulnefs  for  fuch 
peculiar  favour  in  fo  trying  a  difpenfation  :  yet 
he  had  no  other  profped  but  that  he  fliould 
recover,  until  a  few  hours  before  his  deceafe, 
when  he  fignihed,  *  he  had  almofl:  done  with 
*  time.'  And  changing  faft,  he  quietly  de- 
parted, the  1 5^/6  of  the  tenth  month,  1765, 
in  a  fenfible  compofed  frame  of  fpirit.  On  the 
ijt/j  his  corpfe,  accompanied  by  many  friends, 
was  interred  in  friends  burying-ground,  in 
New  Garden,  after  a  folid  meeting. 


Q. 


yl  ^ejlimony 


(       226       ) 

A  Tejlimony  from    the   ^larterly  Meeting    of 
Philadelphia,    co2icerning  oirr  ejteemed  jrieud 
Margaret  Ellis,  late  ^Radnor  meet^ 
ingf  deceajed. 

CHE  was  born  in  the  principality  of  Wales, 
^  of  parents  profcfling  epifcopacy,  and  reli- 
gious in  that  way.  By  a  fliort  memorial  fhe 
hath  left  of  fome  occurrences  in  her  life,  we 
find  file  was  early  vifited  by  the  Almighty, 
which    flie   expreifes    in    this    manner.     *  At 

*  fourteen  years  of  age,  the  call  of  the  Lord 

*  was  to  me,  when  feeing  fome  of  my  compa- 

*  nions  carried  to  the  grave,  a  concern  came 

*  over  my  mind,  with  a  confideration,  whither 

*  their  fouls  were  gone,  and  where  mine  would 

*  be,  if  I  fhould  then  be  taken  away ;  and  that 

*  followed  and  remained  with   me  for  many 

*  days  :'  But  being  young,  and  not  willing  to 
bear  the  crofs,  the  witnefs  for  God  was  fo  far 
fupprefled,  that  flie  gave  way  to  follow  the 
vanities  and  diverfions  of  the  world;  yet  the 
Lord  did  not  forget  her ;  but  fome  years  after 
the  vifitation  was  renewed,  and  then,  flie  fays, 

*  I  returned  in  earned  to  look  within,  to  my 

*  own  llate  and  condition,  and  to  the  anoint- 

*  ing  mentioned  by  the  apoltle  John,  whicli 

*  opened  clearly  in  my  mind.'  This  brought 
her  to  a  clofe  exercife,  rnd  often  in  fecret 
prayer,  that  the  Lord  would  be  pleafed  to  ma- 
nifeft  her  duty.  Soon  after  this  flie  went  to 
vifit  a  brother  at  Dolobran,  who  had  a  fhort 
time  before  joined  in  communion  with  friends; 
and  being  at  a  meeting,  llie  w^as  further  reached 

unto 


I 

I. 


1 


(     227     ) 

unto,  and  the  thoughts  of  her  heart  declared 
by  a  worthy  minifter  then  prefent.  Her  father 
took  pains  to  dilTuade  her  from  joining  friends, 
and  got  feveral  priefts  to  affift  him  with  their 
endeavours ;  but  being  enlightened  to  fee  the 
formalitv  and  deadnefs  of  the  profeffion  of 
reliction  in  which  fhe  had  been  educated,  and 
the  blindnefs  and  emptinefs  of  their  pricfts,  flie 
acquainted  lier  father,  ^  She  would  never  come 

*  more  to  their  church,  unlefs  it  was  to  his 

*  and  her  mother's  burial/ 

Li  a  few  years  after  this  flie  found  a  concern 
to  appear  in  publick  teftimony  in  friends  meet- 
ings, and  foon  afterwards  removed  to  this  pro- 
vince; in  which  fhe  apprehended  a  divine  di- 
rccftion,  believing  the  Lord  would  go  along 
with  her,  which  flie  experienced  to  her  com- 
fort, and  w^as  cordially  received  by  friends; 
increafniP:  in  the  o:ift  beftowed  on  her. 

She  paifed  through  various  baptifms  and  trials 
in  her  young  years  in  her  native  land,  and  many 
conflicts  and  exercifes  afterwards,  yet  expe- 
rienced the  arm  of  the  Lord  revealed  for  her 
help  and  fupport. 

She  was  a  lincere-heartcd  woman,  diligent  in 
the  exercife  of  her  gift,  which  was  in  much 
plainnefs  and  fimplicity.  She  vifited  the  meet- 
ings frequently  in  fome  parts  of  this  province, 
and  New  Jerfey ;  and  in  the  year  1752,  with 
the  concurrence  of  friends,  embarked  in  order 
to  vifit  friends  in  fome  parts  of  Great  Britain, 
which  file  performed,  and  was  in  feveral  places 
engaged  to  viiit  many  of  the  families  of  friends ; 
which,  as  we  have  underrtood,  were  acceptable 
and  ferviccable.      She  was  favoured  to  return, 

0^2  and 


(       228       ) 

and  continued  lively  in  the  exercile   of  her 
gift. 

Being  taken  ill  in  Philadelphia,  in  the  iitb 
month,  1765,  immediately  after  our  quarterly 
meeting,  which  flie  attended,  after  a  few  days 
illnefs,  Ihe  departed  this  life.  She  had  divers 
times,  to  her  particular  friends,  expreifed  her 
defire,  if  it  was  the  Lord's  will,  to  finifh  her 
days  in  this  city ;  and  in  her  ficknefs  exprelTed 
her  willingnefs  to  depart,  but  requefted  flie 
might  be  favoured  with  fome  interval  of  eafe 
from  extreme  pain,  that  flie  might  take  her 
leave  of  her  friends,  which  was  granted  her. 
She  uttered  many  lively  and  lavoury  expreffions 
in  her  ficknefs,  was  favoured  with  an  evidence 
of  her  future  well-being;  and  as  fhe  lived  in 
the  fear  of  God,  we  doubt  not  (he  was  ac- 
cepted of  him,  and  enjoys  the  reward  of  her 
faithfulnefs. 

She  died  the  i^th  of  the  eleventh  month, 
1765,  in  a  good  old  age;  her  body  was  carried 
to  our  meeting-houfe  in  High-Street,  and  after 
a  folid  meeting,  buried  the  i^tb  in  friends 
grave-yard. 


A  Tejiimony  from  Nottingham  Monthly^Meet- 
ing  in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  Dinah 
James. 

CHE  was  born  the  -jth  of  the  fixth  month, 
*^  1699,  near  Chefter,  in  the  county  of  Chef- 
ter,  in  Pennfylvania.  When  ihe  was  about 
five  years  old,  her  parents,  John  and  Hannah 

Churchman, 


p 


J 


(     229     ) 

Churchman,  removed  and  fettled  at  Notting- 
ham, in  the  county  aforefaid ;  and  fhe  being 
religioufly  educated  by  them,  foon  became  in- 
wardly fenfible  of  the  blefled  truth;   and  tak- 
ing heed  to  its   teaching,  was  early  adorned 
thereby  with  a  meek  and  quiet  fpirit;   was  a 
great  lover  of  meetings  for  the  worfliip  of  God, 
and  a  humble  exemplary  waiter  therein.    About 
the  thirty-fourth  year  of  her  age  fhe  appeared 
in  the  minillry,  and  being  faithful  in  her  gift, 
though  rtie  did  not  increafe  in  many  words, 
and  but  feldom  appeared  therein,  being  rather 
a  pattern  of  awful  filence,  yet  her  teftimony, 
when  fhe  did  appear,  was  remarkably  feafoned 
with  the  baptizing  power  of  the  fpirit,  which 
made  it  truly  acceptable  to  friends.     She  was 
often  heard  to  exprefs  her  apprehenfion  of  the 
danger    of   words    increafing    in    the  church, 
without  fufKcient  weight  and  awfulnefs ;  and 
at  different  times,  efpecially  in  the  latter  years 
of  her  life,   both  in  publick  teflimony  and  in 
private,  flie   fpoke   of   a   winnowing  time  at 
hand,  wherein  fhe  apprehended  the  chaff  was 
to  be  blown  away,  and  the  church  reftored  to 
as  great,  if  not  greater  degree  of  purity  than 
heretofore ;  which  is  now  frefli  in  the  memory 
of  divers  perfons. 

She  was  an  example  of  plainnefs  herfelf,  and 
careful  prudently  to  fupprefs  the  contrary  in 
her  children,  as  long  as  they  remained  under 
her  immediate  care,  meekly  dilTuading  in  a 
moving  manner  againft  any  appearance  of  cor- 
ruption in  converlation,  as  well  as  the  world's 
vain  falhions  and  fuperfluity  in  drefs ;  firmly 
maintaining  parental  authority  in  this  fleady 

0^3  refolution 


-W         ^■^fmSXf-" 


(    230    ) 

refolution  which  fhe  never  departed  from,  viz. 
that  while  her  children  were  clothed  at  her 
expence,  they  (hould  lubmit  to  have  their 
clothes  fafhioned  agreeable  to  her  mind.  She 
was  no  lefs  remarkable  for  humility  and  chari- 
ty, a  promoter  of  good  order  in  the  church, 
and  of  true  peace  upon  the  right  foundation  -, 
for  which  virtues  (he  gained  the  general  efteem 
of  her  friends  and  others. 

Between  the  years  1742  and  1754,  (he  vifited 
moftof  the  meetings  of  friends  in  Pennfylvania, 
New-Jerfey,  Long-Iiland,  and  theEaftern  ihore 
of  Maryland.  Her  care  to  attend  meetings  was 
memorable,  and  worthy  of  imitation,  even  when 
under  great  bodily  weaknefs  and  infirmity,  as 
fhe  was  for  many  years  in  the  latter  part  of  her 
life,  feveral  of  her  joints  being  greatly  afFedlcd 
with  the  violence  of  rheumatick  pains ;  all 
xvhich  fhe  bore  with  fuch  patience  and  humble 
refignation  of  mind,  as  truly  becomes  a  Chrif- 
tian,  and  befpoke  a  v/ell-grounded  hope  of  a 
lafling  habitation  at  the  end  of  a  weary  pil- 
grimage in  this' world. 

She  was  at  meeting  a  few  weeks  before  her 
deceafe,  but  feeling  much  bodily  weaknefs,  fhe 
exprelTed  her  doubt  of  ever  coming  again ; 
having  at  divers  times  before  manifefted  a  fenfe 
of  her  end  bein^  near.  About  five  davs  before 
her  deceafe  Ihe  was  feized  with  a  fever  and  in- 
ward pains,  which  weakened  her  very  faft. 
The  night  before  ihe  died  fhe  had  feveral  re- 
frefhing  naps  of  llcep,  and  on  awaking  was 
often  heard  quietly  to  repeat  thefe  words,  *  A 
*  happy  change,  a  happy  change;'  and  about 
the  ^^/j  hour  on  the  ijl  of  the  firll  month,  1 766, 

Ihe 


(     231     ) 

flie  quietly  departed,  as  one  falling  afleep,  being 
cheerful  and  feniible  almofl:  to  the  lafl  moments 
of  life;  in  the  fixty-feventh  year  of  her  age,  a 
Hiinifter  about  33  years ;  and  on  the  3^  of  the 
fame  month,  was  interred  in  the  burying- 
ground  of  friends  at  Eaft  Nottingham. 


yf  Tcjlimony  from  Sadfbury  Monthly  Meetings  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  Mary  Moore. 

/^UR  well-efleemed  friend  Mary  Moore,  late 
^-^  vi'ife  of  James  Moore,  and  daughter  of 
Jofeph  and  Sarah  Wildman,  of  Bucks  county, 
was  born  the  8//6  day  of  the  eighth  month, 
1720.  She  was  adorned  with  a  meek  and 
quiet  fpirit,  favoured  with  a  gift  in  the  mi- 
niftry,  whofe  teftimony  was  generally  well 
received,  her  words  being  few  and  favoury, 
and  her  awful  deportment  and  exemplary  con- 
ducl,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  worthy  of 
imitation.  About  a  year  before  her  deceafe 
Ihe  was  taken  v/ith  a  lingering  diforder,  in 
which  time  of  weaknefs  fhe  was  often  tenderly 
affedled,    advifing   her    children,    and   others, 

*  To  prepare  for  their  latter  end,  and  not  leave 

*  their  work  behind  hand  ;'  obferving,  in  an 
humble  manner,  what  an  awful  bowed  people 
we  ought  to  be. 

About  four  hours  before  her  departure,  many 
friends  came  to  fee  her,  whom  flie  earneflly 
beholding,  defired  they  would  fit  down,  that 
they  might  truly  wait  in  God's  fear,  and  that 
thofe  who  knew  how  to  wait,  would  get  deep 

0^4  in 


*-«KBBW*"J*^"«  ■* 


(  232  ) 

in  true  filencc.  At  which  time,  notwithftand- 
ing  her  great  weaknefs,  (lie  was  divinely  fa- 
voured, and  her  tongue  loofed  to  leave  her  laft 
teftimony,  faying,  '  Friends,  if  you  love  God, 
'  he  will  love  you,  and  if  you  do  not  love  God, 

*  how  can  you  exped  to  be  beloved  of  him  ?' 
Adding,  '  If  you  would  gather  your  families 
^  more  often  together,  and  fit  down  in  his  fear, 

*  and  wait  in  true  filence,  to  have  your  minds 

*  draw|i  from  this  world,  you  would  grow  in 

*  the  truth,'  with  more  to  the  fame  efFefl:, 
defiring  they  might  remember  her  words. 
After  which  flie  defired  her  hulband  would 
freely  give  her  up,  and  not  mourn  after  her,  at 
the  fame  time  encouraged  hin>  to  faithfulnefs, 
and  defired  friends  would  be  ilill  and  quiet 
until  her  departure.  Being  fcnfible  to  the  laft, 
(he  quietly  expired  the  ij/Z^  of  the  feventh 
month,  1766,  and  was  interred  in  friends  bury- 
ing-ground  at  Sadlbury,  aged  forty- five  years. 


A  Tejlimony  from  Haddonfield  Monthly-Meet- 
ing  in  New-Jerfey,  concerning  Thoma§ 
Redman. 

TTE  was  born  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
^^  the  31^  of  the  third  month,  1714,  and 
being  ftripped  of  his  parents  when  young,  was 
placed  apprentice  in  faidcitv;  after  which  he 
removed  and  fettled  at  Huddonfield  aforefaid. 
About  the  twcnty-fecond  year  of  his  age,  he 
appeared  in  the  miniltry,  and  we  believe  labour- 
ed faithfully  until  the  conclufion  of  his  days. 

He 


(     233     ) 

He  travelled  Into  New-England  on  a  religious 
yifit,  in  company  with  Edmund  Peckover,  of 
Great-Britain,  who  was  here  on  a  vifit  to  the 
churches  in  America,  from  whence,  at  his  re- 
turn, we  received  a  good  account  of  his  fervi- 
ces,  which,  with  his  company,   was  very  ac- 
ceptable to  us.     He  was  often   deeply  exer- 
cifed  for  the  growth   and  profperity  of  truth, 
which  we  believe  he   truly  loved.     In  family 
vifits  he   was  much  favoured  with  divine  abi- 
lity, and  had   to  deliver  fuitable  advice  to  the 
benefit  and   refrefliment  of  many.     His  tefti- 
mony was  plain,  found,  and  edifying  ;  a  lowly- 
minded  feeker  of  divine  help,  which  made  him 
very  ufeful  in  the  carrying  on  the  affairs  of  the 
church.     He  ruled  well   in  his  own  family, 
bringing  them  up  in  moderation  and  plainnefs, 
and  was  a  good  example  therein  himfclf.     Al- 
though he  did  not  travel  much  in  diftant  parts, 
yet  he  vifited  moft  of  the  meetings  in  New-Jer- 
fey and  Pennfylvania.     He  was  fometimes  fer- 
vently engaged  to  call  to  the  youth,  for  whom 
he  was  much  concerned  ;  he  was  prudent,  cha- 
ritable and  benevolent,  whofe  houfe  was  open 
freely  to   receive  his   friends.     And   although 
we  fenfibly  feel  the  lofs  of  fo  worthy  a  friend 
and  member,   we  defire  to   fubmit,   believing 
our  lofs  is  his  gain,  and  that  he  now  inherits  a 
place  prepared  for  the  righteous. 

He  departed  this  life  at  his  own  houfe  in 
Haddonfield,  the  23^  day  of  the  ninth  month, 
1766,  in  the  fifty-third  year  of  his  age,  and 
was  interred  the  25^/6  in  friends  burying- 
ground  at  Haddonfield,  after  a  large  and  lolid 

jneeting  on  the  occafion. 

A  Tejliniony 


(     ^34     ) 

A  Tejiimony  from  Uvvclilan  Monthly^Meeting  in 
Pcnnfylvania,  concerning  Samuel  John. 

TT  E  was  born  in  Pembrokefhirc,  in  the  prin- 
J- A  cipalily  ofWales,  in  the  year  1680,  and 
educated  m  profeffion  with  the  church  of  Eng- 
land, being  (as  we  have  been  informed  by  thofe 
who  then  knew  him)  a  fober  youth,  religioufly 
inclmed,  and  concerned  for  an  inward  acquaint^ 
ancc  with  the  Lord,  who  had  touched  his 
heart  with  a  ienfe  of  his  own  ftate  and  condi- 
tion, whence  defires  being  raifed  after  that 
which  is  fubftantial,  he  continued  feeking  for 
many  years,  and  among  divers  profeffions. 

He  came  over  to  Pennfylvania,   in  the  year 
1709,  and  fome  time  after  fettled  at   Uwchlan 
aforefaid,    and    foon   joined    in    fociety    with 
friends,  having  for  divers  years  before  been  \\x\^ 
der  fome  convincement  of  the  principle  of  truth 
as  held  by  us ;  and   being  meafurably  faithful 
to  the  manifcilation  of  grace  received,  the  Lord 
was  plcafed  to  beflow  upon  him  a  difpenfation 
of  the  gofpel  to  preach,  in  which  we  believe  he 
laboured  faithfully,  and  became  a  found  and  able 
imnifter.     His  fitting  in  meetings  for  divine 
worfliip    was    folid  and  exemplary,  often    in 
lilence,  though  at  times  when  moved  thereto, 
doa:rine  had  dropped  from  him  as  the  dew  and 
his  fpeech  diftilled  as  the  fmall  rain,  to  the  re- 
frefhing  the  hungry  andthirfty  foul. 

He  was  an  example  of  plainnefs  and  mode- 
ration, his  converfation  weighty  and  inftruc- 
tive  alfo  very  encouraging  to  fuch  as  were 
well  minded  J  and  divers    fmall  pieces  found 


/ 


(     235     ) 

among  his  papers,  which  appear  as  the  pro- 
duce of  his  private  meditations,  manifell:  that 
his  converfation  was  often  in  heaven,  and  his 
ir.editation  on  heavenly  things. 

It  was  his  lot  to  pafs  through  divers  bapti- 
sing and  affliding  circumftances  (occafioned  by 
the^condudt  of  fome  who  ought  to  have  been  a 
comfort  to  him  in  his  declining  years)   which 
he  bore  with  becoming  patience,  and  retained 
his  greennefs  to  the  laft,  appearing  in  a  fweet 
comfortable  frame  of  mind.   He  often  exprefled 
himfelf  in  a  deep,  fenfible  and  affedting  man- 
ner,  to  fome   who  vifited  him  during  his  laft 
weaknefs,  which  continued  a  confiderable  time, 
being  confined  at  home  through  bodily  infir- 
mity and  old  age,  for  near  two  years  before  his 

deceafe. 

He  quietly  departed  this  life  on  the  16//6  of 
the  tenth  month,  1766,  in  the  cighty-feventh 
year  of  his  age,  having  been  a  minifler  about 
54  years,  and  was  buried  the  i8th  of  the  faid 
month ;  when  a  folemn  meetin>^  was  held, 
wherein  the  overfhadovving  of  truth  was  mea- 
furably felt,  under  the  influence  whereof  the 
unruly  were  warned,  and  the  feeble-minded 
comforted  and  encouraged  to  perfevere  in  the 
way  which  leads  to  peace. 


'^\ 


AT^eJlhnonyfrom  New- Garden  Mojithly  Meeting 
in  Pennfylvania,  concer7nng]oYi^  Smith. 


H 


among 


E  was  born  at  Dartmouth,  in  New-Eng- 
land, the  3^  of  the  fourth  month,  1681  ; 

his 


(      2^6      ) 

his  parents  were  Preibyterlans,  but  joined  with 
friends  m  their  latter  years.  As  he  grew  to 
years  of  under/landing,  the  Lord  was  pleafed 
to  favour  him  with  the  knowledge  of  his  blef- 
fed  truth,  through  the  divine  light  ihining  in 
his  heart,  whereby  he  became  acquainted  with 
the  difcjpline  of  the  crofs,  and  was,  whilft 
young,  in  a  good  degree  weaned  from  the  vani* 
ties  and  peri/hing  enjoyments  of  this  world. 

About  the  twenty-fecond  year  of  his  age,  he 
bore  a  teftimony  againft  wars  and  fightings,  for 
which  he  was  fined  and  fuffered  {tvtn  months 
impnfonment.     In  the  twenty-fourth  year  of 
his  age,  he  embarked  for  England,  and  on  his 
arrival  there,  was  prelTed  on  board  a  veflel  of 
war,  where  he  was  kept  about  fix  weeks  ^  and 
for  refufing  to  fight,  or  be  an  affiftant  therein, 
he  underwent  fufferings,  trials,  and  many  exer- 
ciles,  but  through  the  Lord's  mercy  and  good- 
Jiefs    he  was  preferved  fteady  in  his  teftiqiony 
and  found  peace  and  the  prefence  of  the  Lord  to 
be  with  him  in  a  large  degree,  rejoicing  that  he 
was  accounted  worthy  to   fuffer  for  the  tefti- 
mony  of  truth.      He  came  over  to  Pennfylva^ 
ma  loon  after,  and  when  married,  refided  feve^ 
ral  years  at  or  near  Chefler;   and  about   the 
^^'^l  iV^^'  ^^   removed   with  his  family  into 
Eaft-Marlborough,  in   Chefter  county,   where 
he  dwelt   upwards  of  40  years.     About   the 
year  1714,  a  meeting  for  worfhip  was  fettled  at 
his  houfe,    which  continued  until  a  meetin^r, 
houfe  was   built  in  London-Grove  townfliin 
not  far  diibnt.  ^' 


He 


(     257     ) 

He  was  one  whom  we  think  dwelt  near  the 
truth,  having  received  the  fame  in  the  love  of 
it.  His  miniftry  was  favoury,  though  not  very 
eloquent,  zealous  for  good  order,  and  fervicc- 
able  in  the  difcipline  of  the  church.  He  often 
fpoke  of  the  degeneracy  from  the  primitive 
plainnefs  confpicuous  amongft  friends,  both 
in  drefs  and  addrefs,  and  the  great  need  of  a 
reformation;  exprefling  his  fervent  defires  for 
the  reftoration  of  ancient  purity ;  and  being 
himfelf  an  example  of  plainnefs,  and  in  con- 
verfation  cheerful,  inftrudive, ,  and  edifying; 
was  often  concerned  to  iHr  up  the  negligent  to 
their  duty,  both  in  refped:  to  attendance  of 
meetings,  and  humble  waiting  therein. 

He  cheerfully  entertained  his  friends,  whofe 
company  and  converfaticn  he  greatly  defired; 
and  though  in  the  decline  of  life,  he  met  with 
fome  afflidting  occurrences,  yet  he  bore  them 
with  a  good  degree  of  Chriftian  fortitude,  look- 
ing over  them  to  that  which  is  invifible,  hav- 
ing an  eye  to  the  recompence  of  reward. 

The  laft  place  of  his  refidence  was  within 
the  limits  of  New-Garden  particular  meeting, 
which  he  carefully  attended  when  able;  the 
Lord  being  pleafed  to  preferve  him  as  a  fruit- 
ful branch,  frefli  and  green,  which  was  mani- 
fefted  by  his  converfation,  folid  deportment 
in  meetings,  and  particularly  in  his  miniftry; 
a  fweetnel's  of  fpirit  and  lively  fenfe  of  truth 
apparently  attending  him  to  the  laft. 

His  bodily  infirmities  gradually  increafing, 
he  departed  this  life  the  24^/6  of  the  tenth 
month  1766,  and  was  buried  at  London-Grove 
aforefaid,  in  the  eighty-fixth  year  of  his  age; 

and 


» 


' 


'w 


H 


(     238     ) 

and  we  trufi:  he  is  at  reft,  receiving  the  reward 
of  the  faithful. 


ji  Tejlhnony  from  Warrington  Monthly-Meetmg 
in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  Alexander 
Underwood. 

HE  was  born  in  Maryland  in  the  year  1688, 
and  being  convinced  of  the  truth  fome 
time  after  he  arrived  to  man's  eftate,  was  chofen 
an  elder  of  the  meeting  where  he  then  refided ; 
afterwards  removing  to  this  then  remote  part 
of  the  country,  in  the  fifty-feventh  year  of  his 
age  he  appeared  in  the  miniftry,  and  travelled 
twice  on   that  fervice   to  North-Carolina,  of 
which  vilits  we  received  comfortable  accounts 
from  friends  there;  and   when  at  home  was 
enabled  to  miniilcr  fuitably  to  the  llatc  of  the 
church,  to  the  comfort  of  the  true  mourners 
in  Zion,  and  encouragement  of  the  faithful 
travellers.     Towards  the  latter  part  of  his  time, 
his  bodily  ftrength  much  failed,  yet  he  vifited 
fome  of  the  neighbouring  meetings,   and  fa- 
milies of  friends,  to  the  comfort  of  the  faith- 
ful, his  miniftry  continuing  to  be  found  and 
lively. 

In  his  laft  (icknefs  he  feemed  much  refigned, 
and  at  one  time  faid,   *  He  had  the  company 

*  of  his  good  Mafter  to  comfort  him  in  his 

*  aftiidtion.*    At  another  faid,  *  That  he  could 

*  fay  with  the  Pfalmift,   that  the  good   hand 

*  that  was  with   him  in  his  young  years,  had 

*  not  forfook  him  now  in  his  old  age.'     And 

divers 


C     239     ) 

divers  times  fignified,  *  He  ftill  felt  the  Com- 

*  forter  with   him;   faying,    *  his  day's  work 

*  was  done.'  A  little  before  his  departure,  he 
fang  praifes  and  hallelujahs  to  his  great  Lord 
and  Mafter :  then  prayed  for  the  little  hand- 
ful; and  taking  leave  of  all  prefent,  continued 
in  afweet  frame  of  mind,  finging  praifes  until 
he  could  not  be  underftood,  and  quietly  de- 
parted this  life,  the  31//  of  the  tenth  month 
1767,  and  was  interred  the  2d  of  the  eleventh 
month,  in  the  feventy-ninth  year  of  his  age. 
May  we,  who  are  left  behind,  be  engaged  to 
follow  his  example,  that  fo  our  end  may  be 
like  unto  his. 


A  Tcjiimony  from  Bradford  Monthly^Meefino-  in 
Pennfylvania,  cojicerning  Abraham  Mar- 
shall. 

TX7E  underftand  he  was  born  at  Gratton,  in 
^^  Derby ftiire.  Old  England,  and  educated 
in  the  profeffion  of  the  church  of  Eno^land  ; 
in  his  youth  he  was  favoured  with  a  vilitation 
of  divine  love,  but  not  keeping  clofe  there- 
unto, when  amongft  his  companions  he  fuf- 
fered  lofs.  When  about  fifteen  or  fixtecn  years 
of  age,  our  worthy  friend  John  Gratton  being 
abroad  in  truth's  fervice,  was  concerned  to 
have  a  meeting  at  a  town  called  Alnwick, 
where  this  our  friend  then  refided,  who  fo 
powerfully  declared  the  truth,  that  he  amongft 
divers  others  was  convinced ;  and  carefullv 
abiding  under  the  difcipline  of  the  crofs,  he 

in 


If 


«l 


(    240   ) 

in  time  received  a  part  in  the  miniftry.  Abouf 
the  year  1697,  he  came  over  to  Pennfylvania, 
and  for  Ibme  time  relided  near  Derby,  where 
he  entered  into  a  married  ftate,  and  in  a  few 
years  afterwards  removed  to  the  Forks  of 
Brandywine,  then  a  new  fettled  part  of  the 
country,  the  neareft  meeting  being  about 
eleven  miles,  which  he  feldom  miffed  attend- 
ing when  of  abihty  of  body;  he  was  alfo  in- 
ftrumental  in  fettling  this  called  Bradford 
meeting,  within  the  compafs  of  which  he 
refided  the  remainder  of  his  days.  He  was  an 
example  of  plainnefs  and  felf-denial,  and  con- 
cerned for  the  fupport  of  the  difcipline.  He 
travelled  into  Nev/-Jerfey  and  the  fouthern  pro- 
vinces, where  his  fervice  in  the  miniftry  was 
acceptable,  his  dodlrine  being  found,  and  his 
life,  convcrliition,  and  deportment  adorning 
the  fame.  When  far  advanced  in  age,  his  hear- 
ing and  memory  failing,  rendered  his  ufeful- 
nefs  not  fo  extenfive  as  in  his  younger  years. 
For  fome  time  before  his  deceafe,  he  feemed 
very  defirous  of  his  change,  often  expreffing, 

•  That  people  fliould  fo  live  in  this  world  as 
'  to  fit  them  for  another.'  About  twenty- 
four  hours  before  he  died,  he  faid  to  thofe 
with  him,    '  Let  me  go,   let  me  go.     People 

•  fhould  live  in  love:'   then  faid,  *  Farewell, 

•  farewell/  after  three  or  four  weeks  illnefs, 
or  rather  growing  weaker  with  age,  he  departed 
in  a  compofed  frame  of  mind,  on  the  17//6  of 
the  twelfth  month  1767,  and  on  the  20//6  was 
interred  in  friends  burying-ground  at  Brad- 
ford.    By  the  general  account,  in  the  ninety- 

feventh 


(     241     ) 

feventh  year  of  his  age,  but  we  have  fome  rea* 
fon  to  believe  he  was  one  hundred  and  three. 

Mary  Marfhall,  his  widow,  was  born  in 
Kent  in  Old  England,  and  came  to  America 
with  her  father  when  about  two  years  and  an 
half  old.  She  furvived  her  hufband  about  fif- 
teen months,  and  departed  this  life,  after  about 
four  days  illnefs,  quiet  and  eafy,  in  the  eighty- 
feventh  year  of  her  age,  leaving  a  good  favour 
in  our  remembrance. 


j1  "Tejlimonyfrom  the  Monthly-Meeting  of  Friends 
in  Philadelphia,  co?icer?iing  Benjamin 
Trotter,  rcho  was  iorn  in  this  city^  in 
the  ninth  month  of  the  year  1699. 

TTE  v/as  early  vifited,  and  reached  unto  by 
•*■  ^  the  reproofs  of  divine  light  and  grace,  for 
thofe  youthful  vanities  and  corrupt  converfa- 
tion,  which  by  nature  he  was  prone  to  and 
purfued,  to  the  grief  of  his  pious  mother,  who 
was  religioufly  concerned  to  reftrain  him;  but 
as  he  became  obedient  to  the  renewed  vifita- 
tions  of  the  heavenly  call,  denying  himfelf  of 
thofe  things  which  he  was  reproved  for,  he 
not  only  learned  to  ceafe  from  doing  evil,  but 
to  live  in  the  practice  of  doing  wtII  ;  and  con- 
tinuing faithful,  became  an  example  of  plain- 
nefs and  felf-denial,  for  which  he  fuffered 
much  fcoffing  and  mocking  of  thofe  who  had 
been  his  companions  in  folly  :  yet  he  neither 
fainted  nor  was  turned  afide  by  the  reproaches 
of  the   ungodlv,  which  thus   fell  to  his  lor, 

R  for 


(      242      ) 

for  his  plain  teftlmony  againfh  their  evil  con- 
duft. 

In  the  tvventy-fixth  year  of  his  age,  he  ap- 
peared in  the  work  of  the  miniltry,  and  la- 
boured therein  in  much  plainnefs  and  godly 
fincerity,  adorning  the  docflrine  he  preached, 
by  an  humble  circumfpeft  life  and  conversation; 
being  exemplary  in  his  diligence  and  induftry, 
to  labour  honeftly  for  a  livelihood,  though 
often  in  much  bodily  infirmity  and  vveaknefs, 
defiring,  as  he  fometimes  exprelTed,  that  he 
might  owe  no  man  any  thing  but  love.  His 
inoffenfive  opennefs  and  affability,  drawing 
many  of  different  denominations  to  converfe 
with  him,  he  had  fome  feafonable  opportuni- 
ties of  admonifhing  and  rebuking  the  evil  doer 
and  evil  fpeaker,  which  he  did,  in  the  plain- 
nefs of  an  upright  zeal  for  the  promotion  of 
piety  and  virtue,  tempered  with  true  brotherly 
kindnefs  and  charity ;  refpeding  not  the  per- 
fon  of  the  proud  nor  of  the  rich,  becauk  of 
his  riches,  but  with  Chrillian  freedom,  de- 
claring the  truth  to  his  neighbour,  and  was 
thus  in  private  as  well  as  public,  a  preacher 
of  righteoufnefs. 

In  his  publick  miniflry  he  was  zealous  againfl 
errors  both  in  principle  and  pradtice,  and  con- 
Ilantly  concerned  to  prefs  the  neceinty  of  obe- 
dience to  the  principle  of  divine  grace,  a  ma- 
iiifeftation  of  which  is  given  to  every  man  ; 
knowing,  from  his  own  experience,  that  it 
bringeth  falvation  to  all  them  that  obey  and 
follow  its  teachings  ;  and  was  frequently  en- 
abled with  energy  and  power  to  bear  teftimony 
to   the  outward    coming    of  our    Lord    Jefus 

Chrilt, 


(     243     ) 

Chrift,  his  miraculous  birth,  his  holy  example 
in  his  life  and  precepts,  and  his  death  and  Suf- 
ferings at  Jerufalem,  by  which  he  hath  obtained 
eternal  redemption  for  us. 

In  his  publick  teftimony  a  little  before  his 
laH:  ficknefs,  he  exprelfed  his  apprehen lions, 
that  his  time  among  us  would  be  ihort,  and 
fervently  exhorted  to  watchfulnefs  and  care, 
to  keep  our  lamps  trimmed,  and  our  lights 
burning,  and  urged  the  neceflity  of  being  pre- 
pared to  meet  the  bridegroom,  as  not  knov/ing 
at  what  hour  he  will  come. 

He  travelled  feveral  times,  and  vifited  mofl 
of  the  meetings  of  friends  in  this  province  and 
New-Jerfey,  and  fome  in  the  adjacent  pro- 
vinces, but  was  not  much  from  home ;  being 
upwards  of  forty  years  a  diligent  attcnder  of 
our  religious  meetings  in  this  city,  zealoufly 
concerned  for  the  maintaining  our  Chriftian 
dilcipline  in  mceknels  and  true  charity,  care- 
ful in  the  exercife  of  that  part  of  pure  religion, 
vifitin^  the  widow  and  fatherlefs  in  their  af- 
flidlions,  and  often  qualified  to  adminillcr  re- 
lief and  confolation  to  their  dejefted  minds. 

Afilidlions  of  divers  kinds,  and  fome  very 
deep  and  exercifing,  fell  to  his  lot  through  the 
couile  of  his  life  ;  which  he  was  enabled  to 
bear  with  exemplary  patience  and  refignation, 
and  particularly  through  his  lafl  illnefsj  in 
which,  for  upwards  of  fix  weeks,  he  under- 
went great  difiiculty  and  pain,  being  afflifted 
with  the  afthma  and  dropfy,  fo  that  he  fuff^ered 
much,  yet  was  never  heard  to  utter  a  murmur 
or  complaint,  but  frequently  exprefied  his 
thankfulnefs,  that  he  had  not  more  pain,  and 
often  engaged  in  prayer,  that  he  might  be  pre- 

R  2  fcrved 


I 


(   244  ) 

ferved  In  patience  to  the  end,  which  was  gra- 
cioufly  granted  him :  fo  that  he  was  capable 
of  fpeaking  to  the  comfort  and  edification  of 
thofe  who  vifited  hinij  and  from  the  fervent 
Jove  of  the  brethren,  which  evidently  appeared 
through  his  life,  and  moft  confpicuoully  dur- 
ing his  laft  illnefs,  and  even  in  the  hour  of  his 
death,  we  have  a  well-grounded  aflurance  that 
he  is  pafTed  unto  life,  and  hath  received  the 
reward  of  the  righteous. 

His  body  was  attended  by  a  great  number 
of  friends  and  others,  his  fellow-citizens  of 
divers  religious  denominations,  to  our  meet- 
ing-houfe  in  High-Street,  on  the  2^t^  of  the 
third  month,  1768,  and  after  a  folemn  meet- 
ing, was  interred  in  our  burial-ground  in  this 
city. 


ji  Tejlimony  from  Richland  Monthly -Meeting 
in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  Edward  Ro- 
berts. 

TTE  was  born  in  Merionethfliire,  In  the  Prln- 
-*•-*'  cipality  of  Wales,  in  the  third  month, 
1687,  and  came  Into  Pennfylvania  about  the 
twelfth  year  of  his  age ;  was  early  convinced 
of  the  principle  of  truth  as  held  forth  by 
friends,  with  whom  he  joined  in  communion, 
and  by  his  godly  life  and  converfation  through 
the  courfe  of  his  time,  was  nearlv  united  to 
them.  His  miniftry  was  attended  with  divine 
fweetnels  and  energy,  labouring  faithfully 
therein  to  the  comfort  and  edification  of  the 

living 


(     245     ) 

living  whilft  health  and  bodily  ability  conti- 
nued ;  being  a  lively  example  of  humility, 
plainnefs,  temperance,  meeknefs,  and  charity, 
and  of  juftice  and  uprightnefs  in  his  dealings 
amongft  men,  which  gained  him  the  love  and 
efteem  of  people  of  all  denominations.  He 
was  a  tender  and  afFedtionate  hufband  and  fa- 
ther, earneftly  concerned  to  train  up  his  chil- 
dren and  familv  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  exam- 
pie  and  inftrudt  them  in  the  paths  of  virtue ; 
and  alfo  manifefted  a  true  zeal  for  promoting 
and  preferving  peace  and  good  order  in  fociety, 
wherein  he  was  often  fingularly  ferviceable. 
His  bodily  ftrength  gradually  dimini(hing,  he 
was  reduced  even  to  a  child*s  ftate,  in  which 
he  quietly  departed  this  life,  without  much 
ficknefs,  on  the  2^th  of  the  eleventh  month, 
1768,  in  the  eighty-fecond  year  of  his  age  ^ 
a  minifter  above  40  years. 


ATeJlimony  from  Abington  Monthly -Meeting  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  }Aaky  K.vight. 

CHE  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
^  Carver,  who  came  from  England  in  the 
year  1682,  and  was  born  in  or  near  Philadel- 
phia foon  after  her  parents  arrived,  being  one 
of  the  firft  children  born  of  Englifh  parents  in 
Pennfylvania.  Her  parents  fettled  nt  Byberry 
in  Philadelphia  county,  and  educated  her  in  our 
religious  profefiion.  When  about  eighteen 
years  old,  (he  married  Ifaac  Knight,  and  be- 
came a  member  of  Abington  particular  meet- 


R 


'> 
J 


ing. 


(   246   ) 

ing.  Some  time  after  flie  appeared  in  meetings 
in  a  few  words  in  fimplicity  and  innocency, 
and  in  the  exercife  of  her  gift,  though  fmall, 
vifited  divers  meetings  in  fome  of  the  adjacent 
provinces,  from  whence  {he  generally  produced 
accounts  of  friends  acceptance  of  her  fervices. 
And  continuing  in  a  fteady  perfeverance,  ac- 
cording to  her  talent,  as  fhe  advanced  to  old 
age,  her  zeal  for  the  caufe  of  truth  and  good 
of  fouls  manifeftly  increafed  ;  frequently  re- 
commending faithfulnefs,  and  a  daily  watch- 
fulnefs  againft  the  enemy  of  fouls,  whom  Ihe 
often  faid,  *  Was  unwearied,  and  had  followed 

*  her  all  her  life  long,  being  yet  as  bufy  as 
^  ever,  to  draw  her  mind  from  off  her  watch.' 
She  would  frequently  cxprefs,  that  flje  had 
great  caufe  of  thankfulnefs  to  the  God  and  Fa- 
ther of  all  our  mercies,  who  had  fupported  her 
through  many  befetments,  with  his  gracious 
promife,  that  if  fhe  would  be  faithful  accord- 
ing to  the  meafure  of  grace  beflowed,  he  would 
be  with  her  to  the  end. 

Towards  the  clofe  of  her  days,  bodily  weak- 
nefs  increafed,  yet  Ihe  was  remarkably  diligent 
in  attending  meetings,  and  with  ardency  ex- 
horted all,  *  To  come,  taile,  and  fee  for  them- 

*  fclves  that  the  Lord  is  good,  for  he  had  been 

*  good  indeed  to  her  foul,*  with  other  expref- 
fions  tending  to  encourage  well-doing.  She 
feemed  fo  filled  with  love  to  God,  love  to  her 
friends,  and  love  to  her  fellow-creatures  in 
general,  that  we  have  rcafon  to  believe  God 
was  with  her,  and  that  her  lall  days  were  her 
pcd  days.     A  good  end  crowns  all. 

She 


(     247     ) 

She  departed  this  life,  the  4/^6  of  the  third 
month,  1769,  and  was  buried  at  Abington 
the  6t/j  of  the  fame  month,  aged  near  eighty- 
feven  years. 


^  Tejlimonyjrom  Abington  Mofithly- Meeting  In 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  Thomas  Wood. 


o 


UR  faid  friend  was  born  in  England,  of 
parents  not  profefling  with  us,  who 
brought  him  over  with  them  when  very 
young,  and  refided  in  New-Jerfey,  in  the  early 
fettlement  of  that  province.  Soon  after  he 
became  capable  of  religious  confideration,  he 
was  convinced  of  the  principle  of  truth  as 
profefied  by  us,  on  which  account  he  under- 
went the  difpleafure  of,  and  fome  feverities 
from  his  father;  but  being  fteady  and  prudent 
in  conduit,  and  faithful  to  his  convincement, 
he  at  length  fo  gained  on  his  father's  affec- 
tions, that  after  fome  time  he  became  recon- 
ciled and  friendly  to  him. 

He  became  a  member  of  this  monthly,  and 
of  Abington  particular  meeting,  on  or  about 
the  thirtieth  year  of  his  age,  and  fo  con- 
tinued to  the  end  of  his  life;  being  always, 
when  at  home  and  in  health,  a  conftant  at- 
tender  of  thofe  meetino^s,  though  livins:  at  a 
confiderable  diftance  therefrom. 

When  about  forty-eight  years  of  age,  he 
appeared  in  the  miniftry,  and  became  a  faith- 
ful labourer  therein,  according  to  ability.  He 
J)ad  little  or  no  fchool  learning,  yet  delighted 

R  4  much 


(     248     ) 

much  in  hearing  the  fcriptures  read,  and  often 
promoted  the  reading  of  them  in  his  family ; 
by  means  whereof,  and  a  retentive  memory,  he 
fometimes,  through  the  affiftance  of  divine  grace, 
quoted  texts  from  them  in  his  miniftry,  which 
was  not  in  the  enticing  words  of  man's  wifdom, 
but  in  the  demonftration  of  the  fpirit,  often 
adminiftering  comfort  to,  and  true  fympathy 
with,  the  afflided  and  mourners  in  Zion. 

He  divers  times  vifited  mofl  of  the  diflant 
meetings  of  friends  on  this  continent,  and  on 
his  return  produced  fatisfadlory  accounts  of  his 
fervices  in  thofe  vifits.  He  often  communi- 
cated good  and  wholefome  advice  to  his  neigh- 
bours of  other  religious  denominations,  amongft 
whom  he  was  generally  refpefted,  as  a  good 
neighbour,  and  an  honeft,  innocent,  inofFenfive 
man. 

Although  he  did  not  appear  to  be  much 
gifted  for  the  exercifc  of  the  difcipline,  yet  be- 
ing a  conftant  attender  of  meetings  appointed 
for  that  purpofe,  and  a  diligent  waiter  therein, 
there  was  a  language  intelligible  in  his  folid 
filence,  which  communicated  inftrudion  to 
his  friends,  w^ho  were  always  well  pleafed  with 
his  company. 

He  was  a  promoter  of  that  weighty  fervlce 
of  vifiting  friends  families,  wherein  he  was 
ufefully  engaged,  even  when  through  old  age 
and  bodily  weaknefs,  it  appeared  to  human 
probability  too  hard  and  arduous  an  undertak- 
ing ;  but  having  dilcovered  a  willingnefs  to 
make  trial,  he  joined  with  fome  other  friends, 
and  was  fupported  with  inward  and  outward 
^rength  to  go  through  the  fervice,  to  his  own 

and 


(     249     ) 

and  his  friends  great  fatisfaftion.   After  which 
his  ftrength  and   faculties  declining,  he  was 
moftly  confined  at  home.     On  being  vifited 
by  his  friends,  he  appeared  much  in  the  in- 
nocent and  child-like  ftate,  retaining  his  wont- 
ed mark  of  difciplefliip,  viz.  love  to  his  bre- 
thren, in  which  he  continued  to  the  lalt,  and 
departed  this  life,  the  ^th  of  the  third  month, 
1769.   From  the  cleareft  information  we  could 
obtain,  he  was  in  or  about  the  ninety-fourth 
year  of  his  age;  having  been  a  member  of  our 
meeting  about  64,  and  a  miniftcr  upwards  of 
45  years. 


A  Tcjlimony  from  Abington  Monthly-Meeting  in 
Pennfylvania,  coficeming  Isaac   Child. 

THOSE  who  die  in  the  Lord,  ccafe  from 
their  labours  and  the  troubles  of  this  life, 
and  afcend  to  the  heavenly  manfions,  where 
they  are  for  ever  bkfled ;  and  all  that  can  be 
faid  on  their  behalf,  cannot  in  any  degree  ad- 
vance their  happincfs,  nor  add  to  their  worth  : 
yet  there  is  fomething  due  to  the  memory  of 
the  righteous,  fuch  whofe  lives  have  been  con- 
fpicuoufly  virtuous,  who  have  laid  down  their 
heads  in  peace,  are  gone  from  works  to  re- 
wards, and  left  a  fweet  favour. 

Our  dear  and  well  efleemed  friend  Ifaac 
Child,  having  departed  this  life,  we  find  a 
freedom  to  give  the  following  teftimony  con- 
cerning him  while  amongli  us. 

In 


I 


(      250      ) 

In  the  year  1764,  he,  with  his  wife  and 
two  children,  came  well  recommended  to  us 
from  Buckingham  monthly-meeting.  When 
he  found  a  draught  and  freedom  to  come  and 
fettle  amongft  us,  and  a  favourable  opportunity 
prefenting,  he  was  not  hafty  in  his  determina- 
tion, but,  agreeable  to  the  good  and  wholefome 
rule  of  our  difcipline,  laid  the  matter  before 
the  monthly-meeting  he  then  belonged  to,  for 
their  advice. 

This  worthy  friend  approved  himfelf  to  be 
one  who  had  fubmitted  to  the  yoke  and  crofs 
of  Chrift  in  his  youth,  and  by  the  influence 
and  operation  of  truth  upon  him,  was  made 
fenfible  of  the  neceffity  of  living  a  circumfpedt 
and  felf-denying  life ;  and  as  he  yielded  obedi- 
ence to  the  didates  of  grace,  being  thereby 
fubjefted  to  the  divine  will  and  requirings,  the 
Lord  was  pleafed  to  employ  him  in  his  vine- 
yard, and  to  qualify  him  for  fervice  therein, 
both  in  the  exercife  of  the  difcipline  of  the 
church,  and  as  a  minifter  of  the  gofpel. 

He  was  exemplary  in  life  and  converfation, 
his  deportment  being  meek,  humble,  and  in- 
nocently cheerful,  yet  guarding  againft  any 
thing  that  would  tend  to  lightnefs  in  behavi- 
our; his  company  was  pleafant,  and  his  words 
favoury  and  edifying :  a  tender  affedionate 
hufband  and  parent,  a  kind  friend  and  n-ji^-h- 
bour;  not  of  a  murmuring  difpofition  when  he 
met  with  difappointments  and  afflidions,  but 
freely  fubmitted  to  what  was  permitted  to  come 
upon  him. 

He  was  zealous  for  the  caufe  of  God,  and 
the  fupport  of  Chriftian  difcipline  in  its  various 

branches^ 


(      2SO 

branches,  not  hafty  in  giving  his  fentiments 
on  matters   relative  thereto ;   but  after  delibe- 
rately waiting  for  a  proper  qualification,    he 
moftly  fpake  clofe  and  pertinent,  with   clear- 
nefs  and  foundnefs  of  judgment.    He  was  con- 
cerned for  the  clofe  and  due  exercife  of  the 
difcipline  againft  offenders,    not  willing  that 
any  part  of  it  fliould  be  difpenfed  with,  through 
partial  favour  or  affedion,  but  that  true  judg- 
ment, according  to  their  tranfgreflions,  Ihould 
be  placed    upon   them,    the   church   cleanfed 
from  defilements  and  reproaches,  and  that  the 
libertine  profelfor  and  the  circumfped  walker 
might  be   truly  diftinguillied.     Yet  he  was  at 
times  led   into   fympathy    and    travel   of    foul 
for  fuch,  who  through  inadvertency  had  mifled 
their  way,  and  were  in  fome  meafurc  fenfible 
of  their  error;   to  thofe  he  fome  times  extend- 
ed private  admonition  and  counfel,   in  love  to 
their  fouls,  and  with  defires   for  their  reftora- 
tion.     It  may  truly  be  faid,  he  was  endowed 
with  a  large   ihare  of  natural  underftanding, 
which  being  fandified  by  divine  grace,  he  be- 
came well  qualified  for  fervice  in  the  church. 

As  a  minifter,  he  approved  himfelf  one 
rightly  called  to  the  work,  having  experienced 
a  growth  from  a  good  beginning  to  a  large 
advancement,  and  at  times,  through  divine 
aid,  was  enabled  to  deliver  much  excellent 
dodrine  to  the  comfort  and  edification  of  fuch 
whofe  minds  were  gathered  into  a  true  inward 
worfiiip  of  God  in  fpirit  :  and  the  negligent 
were  exhorted  to  more  attention    in  the  great 


work  of  religion  and  their  fouls  falvation. 


He 


(      252      ) 

He  often  founded  an  alarm  to  the  rebellious 
and  gainfayers,  with  a  warning  to  repent  and 
amend  their  ways,  that  their  fouls  might  be 
faved  in  the  day  of  trouble.  He  had  a  clear 
delivery  and  ready  utterance,  his  ftile  being 
familiar  to  the  loweft  capacities,  his  matter 
well  conneded,  his  doftrine  found,  his  power- 
ful  miniftry  having  a  great  reach  upon  the 
people.  He  frequently  attended  burials,  both 
within  the  compafs  of  our  own  meeting,  and 
fome  more  diftant,   faying,  '  It  was  better  for 

*  him  to  go  to  the  houfe  of  mourning  than  the 

•  houfe  of  mirth;'  at  which  times  there  was 
often  large  gatherings  of  divers  forts  of  Chrif- 
tian  profcflbrs,  where  he  frequently  appeared 
in  teftimony,  much  to  their  fatisfaftion;  be- 
ing favoured  with  a  clear  fight  of  the  ftates  of 
the  people,  and  enabled  faithfully  to  fpeak 
what  was  given  him,  in  a  clofe  fearching 
manner,  without  affedation,  and  in  that  uni- 
verfal  love  which  wifhes  well  to  all  men. 

He  travelled  abroad  but  little,  exxept  to  fome 
neighbouring  yearly-meetings,  and  fome  other 
meetings  adjacent.  In  his  laft  public  tefti- 
mony,  which  was  in  our  monthly-meeting, 
he  was  led  to  fpeak  of  the  vallies  that  were  to 
be  raifed,  and  the  hills  brought  down;  that 
when  the  Lord  was  pleafed  to  raife  fome  as 
out  of  the  low  vallies,  and  adorn  them  with 
his  jewels,  it  made  them  appear  above  their 
brethren  i  but  when  thofe  jewels  were  taken 
off,  they  were  then  on  a  level.  This  was  agree- 
able to^  his  own  expc^ricnce,  he  having  at  times 
witneffed  a  being  baptized  into  lowlinefs  of 
mind  and  nothingaefs  of  felf;   under  which 

he 


(     253     ) 

he  appeared  much  refigned  to  the  divine  w^lll, 
often  fitting  in  filence,  as  one  who  h-^d  neither 
call  nor  commiffion  to  fpeak ;  for  he  never 
difcovered  a  defire  to  be  heard  in  words,  until 
he  had  received  a  renewed  qualification,  in 
pure  love,  to  fpeak  to  the  people,  and,  as  upon 
the  walls  of  Zion,  to  proclaim  the  everlafting 
gofpel  of  peace,  and  the  means  of  falvation 
through  Chrift  our  Saviour. 

In  the  time  of  his  laft  ficknefs  (which  w^as 
about  nine  days),  he  was  preferved  in  patience 
and  refignation  of  mind ;  and  near  the  morn- 
ing before  his  departure,  being  clear  in  his  un- 
derftanding,  and  fenfible  of  death  approaching, 
he  was  drawn  forth  in  fervent  fupplication  to 
the  Almighty:  after  which,  laying  ftill  for 
fome  time,  he  departed  like  a  lamb,  without 
figh  or  groan,  on  the  5/^6  of  the  fourth  month 
1769,  aged  thirty-five  years,  having  been  a 
minifter  about  1 1  years,  and  a  member  of  our 
meeting  near  5  years.  A  large  number  of 
friends  and  others  paid  their  laft  office  of  love 
towards  him,  in  attending  his  interment  at 
friends  burying-ground  at  Abington,  on  the 
St/j  of  the  faid  month,  at  which  time  a  folid 
meeting  was  held. 


iOoO->0<'0'>0< 


An  additional  Tejlimony  concerning  Isaac 
CuiL'D,/rom  Buckingham  Moiithly-Meeting 
in  Pennfylvania. 


N 


OTWITHS  TAN  DING  our  much 
efteemed    friend    Ifaac    Child,     removed 

himfelf 


•  "i 


(  254  ) 

himfclf  and  family  from  within  the  compaf^ 
of  our  monthly- meeting  near  five  years  before 
his  deceafe,  yet  we  iind  freedom  to  give  this 
fhort  teilimony  concerning  him,  having  been 
favoured  to  fit  under  many  living  and  pov^er- 
ful  teftimonics  delivered  by  him  whihT:  among 
us. 

We  arc  fully  fatisfied  he  was  one  whom  the 
Lord  in  his  wifdom  faw  meet  to  make  ufe  of 
for  the  work  of  the  gofpel,  having  fitted,  qua- 
lified, and  called  him  forth  when  but  young, 
to  publifli  the  glad  tidings  thereof;  to  which 
divine  call  and  holy  requiring,  he  gave  up  in 
obedience,  and  fufi^ered  not  the  things  of  this 
world  to  take  up  his  mind,  but  in  true  fer- 
vency of  zeal  and  love  for  the  caufe  of  truth, 
he  fpent  much  time  in  its  fcrvice.  His  tefti- 
mony  was  living,  found,  and  delivered  with 
divine  authority;  for  he  handled  not  the  word 
deceitfully,  nor  endeavoured  to  pleafe  itching 
ears;  but  as  a  true  fervant  of  Jefus,  waited  to 
be  renewedly  endowed  with  power  from  on 
high,  whereby  he  was  direded  to  divide  the 
word  aright,  and  fpeak  home  to  the  ftates  and 
conditions  of  the  people.  He  was  alfo  zealoufly 
concerned  for  the  promotion  of  difcipline  and 
good  order  in  the  church;  and  for  the  manage- 
ment of  the  affairs  thereof,  he  appeared  re- 
markably well  qualified;  his  weighty  admoni- 
tions being  enforced  by  a  pious  life  and  con- 
veriation.  May  we,  under  the  confideration 
of  the  great  lofs  the  church  has  fufliained  by 
his  and  fome  others  deceafe,  be  excited  fo  to 
follow  their  footfteps,  that  with  them  we  maV 
be  partakers  of  that  incorruptible  inheritance 

which 


(  255  ) 

which  Is  referved  for  the  righteous,  when  time 
here  fliall  be  no  more. 


A  Tejlimojiy  from  Buckingham  Monthly-Meet- 
ing in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  John  Scar- 
borough. 

HE  was  born  of  honcfl  parents,  and  edu- 
cated within  the  compafs  of  this  meeting; 
in  his  youth  was  fomewhat  airy,  but  when 
arrived  to  riper  years  he  embraced  the  truth, 
and  appeared  clofely  to  follow  the  dictates 
thereof  to  the  end  of  his  life. 

About  the  year  1740  he  appeared  in  the  mi- 
niftry,  and  experiencing  a  growth  therein,  he 
at  different  times  vifited  moil  of  the  northern 
colonies,  in  which  fervices  he  always  had  our 
concurrence,  and  at  his  return  produced  certi- 
ficates of  friends  unity  with  his  miniftry  and 
labours  of  love;  the  remembrance  whereof  yet 
lives  as  a  memorial  in  the  minds  of  many. 

He  earneftly  laboured  for  the  good  and  fal- 
vation  of  men,  and  though  not  learned,  fpoke 
with  great  propriety,  yet  plain  and  familiar; 
his  dodrine  being  found,  lively,  and  edifying, 
which  being  adorned  by  a  pious  life  and  in- 
nocent converfation,  feafoned  with  true  chari- 
ty, made  him  juftly  efteemcd  by  people  of  all 
denominations. 

He  was  fleadily  concerned  to  promote  good 
order  and  difcipline,  and  therein  to  adl  upright- 
ly for  truth's  caufe  without  partiality.  With 
great  checrfulnefs  giving  up  much  of  his  time, 

and 


(  256  ) 

and  labouring  for  the  reftoratlon  of  fuch  who 
had  milled  their  way ;  and  although  he  ufed 
great  plainneis  in  admonilhing  tranfgrelTors, 
he  feldom  gave  offence;  being  a  man  of  re- 
markable felf-denial,  and  endued  with  much 
mildnefs,  made  him  very  ferviceable  in  the  af- 
fairs of  the  church  in  general,  and  tended  to 
fupport  the  authority  of  truth. 

In  his  declining  years  he  was  affeded  with 
bodily  weaknefs,  yet  his  zeal  for  the  caufe  of 
truth  did  not  abate,  but  the  life  and  power 
ufually  attending  his  miniftry  rather  increafed. 
In  his  laft  teftimony  at  our  meeting,  he  was 
hic^hly  favoured,  the  power  of  truth  rifing  in- 
to dominion;  with  much  lalutary  counfel  and 
fatherly  admonition  he  feemed  to  take  a  final 
farewell  of  his  brethren,  and  fervently  prayed 
for  our  prefervation.  As  his  departure  drew 
ni^h,  he  often  expreffed  his  willingnefs  to  leave 
this  world,   faying,  *  He  did    not  know  any 

*  thing  that  remained  undone  to  complete  his 

*  day's  work,  and  that  no  cloud  nor  any  thing 

*  appeared  in  his  way.'  He  departed  this  life, 
the  ^th  of  the  fifth  month  1769,  in  the  fixty- 
fixth  year  of  his  age ;  and  as  a  good  and  faith- 
ful fervant,  we  doubt  not,  is  entered  into  ever- 
lalling  joy  and  happinefs.  The  frefh  remem- 
brance of  his  loving  and  kind  deportment  and 
many  faithful  fervices,  imprelfesour  minds  with 
a  deep  fenfe  of  his  worth  and  our  great  lofs. 


A  Teftimcny 


ir 


i 


(    ^S7    ) 

A  Tejlimony  fro7n  Gwynedd  Monthly- Meeting  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  Mary  Evans. 

CHE  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  in  or  about 
^  the  year  1695.  Her  father  dying  when  fhe 
was  young,  fhe  was  educated  by  her  mother  in 
the  principle  of  truth  as  profefTed  among  us  ; 
in  her  young  years  fhe  was  fober  and  grave  in 
her  behaviour  and  deportment;  and  about  the 
time  (lie  came  forth  in  the  miniftry,  fhe  went 
through  clofe  trials  and  deep  conflidls,  as  we 
have  frequently  heard  her  relate,  in  which 
the  divine  arm  was  her  fupport,  brought  her 
through,  and  qualified  her  for  religious  fervice* 
In  the  year  1736,  /lie  was  married  to  our 
worthy  friend  Owen  Evans,  and  thereby  be- 
came a  member  of  this  meeting.  Her  publick 
appearances  were  not  very  frequent,  but  when 
ihe  fpoke,  her  teftimony  was  fervent,  found, 
and  edifying,  her  condudl  and  converfation 
being  agreeable  to  her  religious  profefiion. 
She  was  feveral  times  drawn  forth  in  the  love 
of  the  gofpel,  to  vifit  friends  in  moft  of  the 
provinces  on  this  continent,  alfo  the  Ifland  of 
Tortola,  which  fhe  undertook  with  the  unity 
of  her  friends  at  home,  and  returned  with  clear 
and  fatisfadory  accounts  of  her  labours  amongft 
thofe  whom  fhe  vifited.  She  was  a  lover  and 
promoter  of  peace  and  good  order  in  the  church, 
and  amongft  her  neighbours,  and  was  frequent- 
ly engaged  in  that  weighty  fervice  of  vifiting 
friends  families,  to  good  fatisfadtion.  In  the 
year  1757,  fhe  met  with  a  clofe  exercife,  in 
the  lofs  of  her  huiband,  who  was  removed  from 

S  her 


I ' 


If  I 


11 


MMIMHWI 


(        258        ) 

her  by  death,  which  ihe  bore  with  becom- 
ing relignation.  After  which,  flie  Hved  fomo 
years  with  her  daughter,  who  was  married  and 
fettled  in  Philadelphia ;  but  returned  back 
again  within  the  compafs  of  this  meeting,  fre- 
quently faying,  *  She  apprehended  it  to  be  her 

*  duty,   to    fpend  the   remainder  of  her  days 

*  amongrt  us ;'    labouring  faithfully,    as    one 

*  that  forefaw  her  time  was  (liort.  Her  laft 
illnefs  was  lingering,  which  fhe  bore  with 
becoming  refignation  ;  a  few  days  before  her 
death,  fome  friends  had  a  fitting  with  her  in 
her  chamber,  when,  notwithftanding  fhe  was 
weak  in  body,  fhe  was  enabled  to  fpeak  for  a 
confiderable  time,  in  a  lively  inftrudtive  man- 
ner, much  to  their  fatisfadiion.  She  departed 
this  life,  the  20th  of  the  fifth  month  ij()()9 
and  was  interred  in  friends  burying-ground  at 
Gwynedd,  the  zzd  of  the  fame. 


A  Tejlimony  from  Middletown  Monthly -Meeting 
in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  Gjrace  Croas- 

DALE. 

A  S  memorials  of  the  virtuous  lives  and  ads 
^^  of  the  righteous  when  deceafed,  may  af- 
ford matter  of  help  and  encouragement  to  fur- 
vivors  to  follow  their  pious  examples ;  we  are 
therefore  engaged  to  give  this  fhort  teftimony 
concerning  our  efteemed  friend  Grace  Croaf- 
dale. 

She  was  born  the  ()th  of  the  eighth  month 
1703,  of  reputable  parents,  members  of  this 

meeting. 


P 


(     259     ) 

meeting,  who  brought  her  up  to  indullry  and 
plainnefs  in'fpeech  and  habit.  Being  married 
young,  fhe  early  entered  into  the  cares  of  a 
family;  and  being  religioufly  inclined,  and  of 
a  cheerful  active  difpofition,  approved  herfelf 
well  qualified  for  fuch  a  charge  j  inllrucling 
her  children  and  family  both  by  precept  and 
example,  in  piety  and  plainnefs,  as  well  as  the 
neceilary  cares  of  life.  As  fhe  advanced  in 
years,  ihe  grew  in  religion,  and  became  very 
ferviceable  in  divers  flations  in  the  church. 
About  the  year  1745  ^^  ^^^^^  appeared  in  the 
miniftry,  in  the  exercife  whereof  ^\z  was  ac- 
ceptable and  edifying,  exhorting  all  to  the  true 
love  and  fear  of  God,  and  a  humble  attention 
to  the  divine  principle  of  truth  in  themfelves ; 
adorning  her  dodtrine  by  a  life  and  converfation 
anfwerable  thereto.  The  latter  part  of  her 
time,  wlien  more  difeng:a?ed  from  the  cares 
ot  a  family,  fhe  was  much  devoted  to  the  fer- 
vice  of  truth,  and  occafionally  vifited  many  of 
the  meetings  of  friends  in  our  own  and  feveral 
of  the  neighbouring  provinces. 

She  was  a  peaceable  kind  neighbour,  a  vifitor 
and  fympathizer  with  the  fick  and  afflifted, 
whether  in  body  or  mind;  and  appeared  emi- 
nently qualified  for  that  weighty  fervice  of 
vifiting  families,  in  which  fhe  was  often  engage 
ed,  not  only  within  the  compafs  of  our  own 
particular  meeting,  but  of  divers  others,  to 
general  fatisfadion. 

Having  lived  in  much  love  and  unity  with 
friends,  fhe  had  to  refled:  thereon  with  great 
peace  and  fatisfadion  of  mind  in  her  lafl  illnefs, 
during  which  ihe  was  fignally  favoured  with  the 

S  z  incomes 


\i\ 


(     26o     ) 

incomes  of  divine  love  and  heavenly  confola- 
tion  ;  in  the  aboundings  whereof  flie  was  fre- 
quently drawn  forth  in  thankfgivings  and  living 
high  praifes  to  the  Lord. 

She  departed  this  life  the  i^d  of  the  tenth 
month,  1769,  and  was  buried  the  24/^6  of  the 
fame,  in  friends  burying-ground  at  Mid- 
dletown. 


A  TeJlimo7iy  from  Evefl:iam  Monthly-Meeting  in 
New-Jerfey,  concerning  Josiah  Foster. 

HE  was  born  in  Rhode-Ifland,  of  honefl:  pa- 
rents, who  died  whilft  he  was  young, 
from  which  time,  until  he  came  to  man's 
eftatCj  we  have  no  account  of  him,  only  that 
fome  of  us  have  heard  him  fay,  he  was  much 
delighted  with  mirth  and  vanity.  Soon  after 
his  arrival  at  manhood,  he  came  into  New- 
Jerfey,  where  he  married,  and  fettled  at 
Evefliam.  Not  long  afterwards  he  was  convin- 
ced, and  effedtually  reached  with  the  power  of 
truth,  through  tlie  living  miniftry  of  that 
eminent  minifter  of  Chrifl:  Jefus,  Thomas 
Wilfon ;  and  by  the  operation  of  divine  grace 
in  his  heart,  he  gradually  experienced  a  growth 
therein.  Thus  advancing  in  true  obedience, 
he  witnefled  an  overcoming  of  his  own  ftrong 
will,  (as  fome  of  us  have  heard  him  relate  with 
awful  gratitude  to  the  Divine  hand)  and  in  due 
time  he  became  a  father  and  elder  in  the 
church  ;  being  tenderly  concerned  for  the  pro- 
motion of  the  truth,  which  had  in  meafure  fet 

him 


(  261  ) 

him  free  from  the  body  of  fin  and  death,  com- 
municating fuitable  advice  and  counfel  to  fuch 
as  w^ere  tender ;  and  a  (harp  reprover  of  obfti- 
nate  finners  \  his  advice  being  much  enforced 
by  his  upright  uniform  conducfr. 

\v\  converfation  he  was  free  and  open,  and 
eafy  of  accefs.  In  meetings  for  worfhip  and 
difcipline  (which  he  diligently  attended  whilft 
of  ability)  his  deportment  was  awful,  reverent, 
and  unaftededly  grave,  waiting  for  the  arifing 
of  life,  which  qualified  him  to  be  of  great 
fervice  in  the  fociety.  He  was  of  a  benevolent 
difpofition,  his  heart  and  houfe  being  open  to 
entertain  ftrangers,  efpecially  travelling  fric*nds; 
nor  was  his  benevolence  confined  to  thofe  of 
our  own  fociety;  for,  being  blefi^ed  with 
affluence,  many  widows  and  fatherlefs  received 
his  hearty  aififtance.  lie  was  well  beloved  by 
mort  or  all  who  were  acquainted  with  him  5 
his  converfation  and  condud:  truly  demonftrat- 
ed,  that  he  had  learned  to  do  to  others,  as  he 
would  be  done  unto;  which  is  truly  worthy 
the  imitation  of  all.  Being  defirous  to  retire 
from  the  cares  of  the  world,  he  removed  to 
Mount  Holly,  where  he  refided  until  he  was 
taken  with  a  paralytick  diforder,  which  much 
impaired  his  natural  faculties,  after  which  he 
returned  to  his  former  fettlement  at  Evefiiam, 
under  the  care  of  his  fon.  Although  his  dif- 
order rendered  him  incapable  of  much  conver- 
fation, yet  he  gave  evident  figns  of  a  lively 
fenfe  of  divine  goodnefs  accompanyir)g  him  to 
the  laft;  and  quietly  departed  this  life  the  ()th 
of  the  firft  month,  1770,  in  the  ei^ht^y- eighth 

S   3  '-       year 


(      262      ) 

year  of  his  age,  and  was  buried  the  iitb  of  the 
fame  month  at  Evefham. 


^    Tejlimony  from    the   Monthly 'Meeting     of 
Friends  in  Philadelphia,  concerning  Daniel 
Stanton. 

WHEN  John  the  Divine  was  in  exile  in 
the  ifle  of  Patmos,  *'  he  heard  a  voice 
**  from  Heaven,  faying,  write,  —  Bleffed  are 
*'  the  dead,  who  die  in  the  Lord,  from  hence- 
*'  forth,  yea,  faith  the  fpirit,  that  they  may 
**  reft  from  their  labours,  and  their  works  da 
**  follow  them  ;"  which  we  believe  now  is  the 
portion  of  our  worthy  friend,  concerning  whofe 
fiiithful  fervices  we  are  engaged  from  the  united 
motives  of  love  and  duty,  to  give  this  teftimo- 
ny  ;  defiring  that  all  who  read  it,  and  more 
efpecially  the  youth,  may  be  excited,  by  his 
example,  to  fcek  an  early  acquaintance  with 
the  Lord,  and  to  take  up  their  daily  crofs  in 
the  prime  of  their  days.  Thus,  they  alfo, 
may  become  Ihining  lights  and  inftruments  of 
good  to  others. 

He  was  born  in  this  city,  in  the  year  1708, 
and  his  father  dying  before  his  birth,  and  his 
mother  a  few  years  after,  he  fuftered  great 
trials  and  hardrtiips  when  very  young.  Being 
early  concerned  to  feek  the  knowledge  of  God, 
he  had  a  fervent  defire  to  attend  religious  meet- 
ings, though  fubjefted  to  many  difficulties  and 
difcouragements,  before  that  privilege  was 
allowed  him ;  yet,  being  earnefl  in  his  defires 

to 


(     263     ) 

to  obtain  Divine  favour,  he  was  eminently 
fupported  under  great  conflidts  and  probations  ; 
and,  continuing  faithful  to  the  degrees  of  light 
and  grace  communicated,  a  difpenfation  of  the 
gofpcl  miniftry  was  committed  to  him,  fome-^ 
time  before  the  term  of  his  apprenticefhip  was 
expired  j  and  abiding  under  the  fandtifying 
power  of  truth,  he  grew  in  his  gift,  and  be- 
came a  zealous  faithful  minifter. 

He  was  very  exemplary  in  his  induftry  and 
diligence,  in  labouring  faithfully  at  his  trade, 
to  provide  for  his  own  fupport,  and  after  he 
married,  and  had  children,  for  their  mainte- 
nance ;  and  was  often  concerned  to  advife 
others  to  the  fame  neceflary  care.  Yet  he  con- 
tinued fervent  in  fpirit  for  the  promotion  of 
truth  and  righteoufnefs ;  fo  that  he  was  fooa 
engaged  to  leave  home,  and  the  neareft  con- 
nexions of  nature,  to  publiili  the  glad  tidings 
of  the  gofpel,  and  frequently  vifited  moll  of 
the  meetings  of  friends  in  this  and  the  adja- 
cent provinces,  and  feveral  times  as  far  as  the 
eaftern  parts  of  New  England.  Having  thus 
honertly  difcharged  his  duty  among  us  above 
twenty  years,  and  feeling  his  mind  conftrained 
in  the  love  of  the  gofpel,  to  vifit  the  few 
friends  who  remained  in  fome  of  the  Weft 
India  lilands,  and  from  thence  to  the  meetings 
of  friends  in  general  through  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland,  he  communicated  his  concern  to  a 
few  of  his  moft  intimate  friends,  who  having 
unity  therewith,  he  was  encouraged  to  lay  it 
before  our  monthly  meeting.  Before  he  entered 
on  this  weighty  fervice,  he  paffed  through  a 
near  trial  and  affliftion  in  the  death  of  his  be- 

S  4.  loved 


P^i*-' ^-^ '^ ''""  "'  V'"''''J^ln^i^^''(M 


(   264   ) 

loved  wife ;  under  which  exerciTe  he  was  gra- 
cioully  fupported  by  the  arm  of  Divine  ftrength, 
which  had  often  been  revealed  for  his  help, 
in  times  of  inward  conflids,  and  outward 
diftrefles. 

His  concern  to  travel  In  the  fervlce  of  truth 
continuing,  and  the  meeting  having  full  unity 
with  him  therein,  he  embarked  in  the  fifth 
month,  1748,  accompanied  by  our  dear  friend 
Samuel  Nottingham,  in  a  velfel  bound  for 
Barbadoes ;  and  having  vifited  a  few  meetings 
hi  that  iiland,  they  went  by  way  of  Antigua  to 
Tortola,  where  they  continued  fome  time,  hav- 
ing fome  difficulty  to  get  a  palTage  to  Europe; 
and  their  voyage  thither  was  attended  with  fome 
lingular  hazards  and  dangers,  which  occafioned 
their  landing  in  Ireland ;  where  our  friend 
Daniel  continued  fome  months,  vifiting  the 
meetings  of  friends  in  that  kingdom  ;  and  after 
he  apprehended  himfelf  clear,  went  over  to 
England,  and  vifited  the  meetings  generally  in 
that  nation,  and  in  Wales  and  Scotland,  where 
his  meek  circumfpedl  condudl  and  conyerfa- 
tion,  and  lively  edifying  miniftry,  rendered  his 
vifit  very  acceptable,  and  his  memory  precious. 

In  his  return  home,  and  for  fome  time  after, 
he  was  in  a  low  afl3id-ed  ftate  of  mind  ;  being 
apprehenfive,  that  through  diffidence,  and  the 
want  of  perfcdl  refignation  to  the  Divine  will, 
he  had  omitted  fully  performing  the  fervice 
required  of  him,  by  not  vifiting  the  few  friends 
in  Holland  :  yet  he  was  mercifully  preferved, 
and  after  a  time  of  deep  exercife,  raifed  again 
to  fing  of  the  mercies  and  lovlng-kindnefs  of 
God  on  the  banks  of  deliverance. 

He 


(    265    ) 

He  feveral  times,  with  other  friends  appoint- 
ed to  that  fervice,  vifited  the  families  of  friends 
in  this  city,  and  between  the  years  1757  and 
1760,  being  accompanied  by  our  friend  John 
Pemberton,  he  vifited  the  families  of  friends 
generally  within  the  limits  of  our  meeting; 
which  weighty  excrcifing  fervice,  he  was  en- 
abled to  perform  to  our  edification  and  fatis- 
faftion.  After  which,  he  was  frequently  en- 
gaged to  excite  friends  to  this  ufcful  and  edify- 
ing pradlice. 

In  the  twelfth  month,  1760,  he  fet  out  on 
a  vifit  to  the  meetings  in  the  weftern  parts  of 
this  province,  and  from  thence  in  Maryland, 
Virginia,  and  North  and  South-Carolina,  and 
returned  in  the  fixtli  month  following ;  fince 
which  he  frequently  vifited  many  of  the  meet- 
ings near  home,  and  fome  as  fiir  as  Long- 
Ifiand,  and  other  parts  of  the  province  of  New- 
York.  Within  the  laft  two  years,  he  vifited 
the  families  of  friends  of  fome  of  the  meetings 
in  Wefi:-Jerfey,  in  the  city  of  New- York,  and 
part  of  Long-Ifland  ;  and  after  his  return  from 
this  fervice,  with  great  peace  and  fatisfadion, 
he  expreifed  his  apprehenfion  that  he  was  now 
clear  of  all  places,  and  that  his  ftay  here  was 
near  over;  having  an  evidence,  that  he  had 
been  faithfully  concerned  from  his  youth,  to 
fear  and  ferve  God. 

His  chief  labour  and  religious  exercifes  were 
in  this  city,  where  he  was  a  diligent  attender 
of  all  our  meetings,  and  often  on  committees 
appointed  on  the  fervices  of  the  church;  in 
which  he  was  folid  and  weighty  in  fpirit,  wait- 
ing for  the  fpringing  up  of  life;  being  fteadily 

concerned 


^■JSsiiaiK 


(   266   ) 

concerned  both  in  and  out  of  meetings,  to  live 
near  the  divine  fountain.  Thus  he  was  very 
frequeriily  qualified,  and  enabled  to  ftir  up  the 
pure  miiid,  and  to  recount  the  gracious  deal- 
ings of  God  to  mankina,  and  as  a  faithful  em- 
balfador,  to  warn  the  negligent  to  flee  from  the 
wrath  to  come,  and  to  excite  the  people  to 
bring  forth  fruits  anfweruble  to  the  great  mer- 
cies gracioufly  beftowed  on  us  ;  and  was  fome- 
times  conftrained  to  declare,  in  a  prophetic 
manner,  a  day  of  trial,  in  divers  inftances,  very 
fhortly  before  fuch  a  feafon  came  to  pafs. 

He  was  of  late  deeply  exercilcd  in  confide- 
ration  of  the  evils  of  the  horfc- races,  fta^re- 
plays,  drunkennefs,  and  other  grofs  enormities 
encouraged  and  increafing  in  this  city;  clofely 
exhorting  our  youth  againft  thofe  pernicious 
and  deilrudive  devices  of  the  enemy  of  man- 
kind ;  and  under  the  awful  fenfe  that  God  will 
judge  and  punifh  the  wicked  and  evil  doers, 
he  was  often  fervent  in  publick  fupplications, 
that  the^  Lord  would  lengthen  out  the  day  of 
his  merciful  vifitation,  and  yet  try  the  people 
longer :  which  feafons  were  folemn  and  hum- 
blingly  affecfting;  manifeiting,  that  although 
he  was  very  clofe  and  fliarp  in  reproof  againft 
evil,  yet  moft  tenderly  concerned,  that  the 
tranfgreiTors  of  the  righteous  law  of  God 
m-ight  be  prevailed  with  to  repent,  return,  and 
live. 

His  Irve  for  the  rifing  generation  was  very 
great,  which  he  manifefted  by  his  affcdionatc 
notice  of  them,  and  efpecially  of  thofe  who 
were  religioufly  inclined,  and  his  houle  was 
open  to  receive  fuch ;   his  converfation  with 

them 


(     267     ) 

them  being  feafoned  with  grace,  and  his  coun- 
fel  inftruftive  and  helpful   to  thole  who   had 
feeking  defires  after   the  knowledge  of  truth, 
often  fovingly  inviting   them  to  come,   tafte, 
and  fee,  that  the  Lord  is  good  i  greatly  defir- 
ing,  that  all  who  profefs  the  truth  might  walk 
agreeable  to  its  dictates,  and  be  led  thereby,  as 
our  worthy  predeceiTors  were,  into  that  meek- 
nefs,  humility,  and  godly  fimplicity  and  plain- 
nefs,    which  rendered  them   confpicuous  and 
fhining  examples  i   and  that  none  might   reft 
fliort  of  the  enjoyment  of  the  life  of  religion: 
his  zeal  being  great  againft  fuch,  who  have  the 
form  of  godlinefs,  and  by  their  adions  manifeft 
they  have  not  the  power  thereof.     And  he  of- 
ten fervently  advifed  and  cautioned  thofe  who 
are   eagerly   purfuing   the  world,  and  by  the 
furfeiting  cares,  and  grafping  after  earthly  trea- 
fures,  fruftrate  the  good  purpofe  of  the  vifita- 
tion of  divine  grace  to   them,  and  clofely  re- 
minded thofe,  who   in  their  fmall  beginnings 
were    low  and   humble,  that  now  they  were 
abundantly  favoured,   they  ihould  not  fet  their 
affeflions  on  things  below,  but  remember  the 
rock  from  whence  they   were  hev/n  ;  and  his 
concern  was  great,  that  thofe  who  had  the  glad 
tidings  of  the  gofpel  to  publifti,  might  be  true 
examples  to  the  flock,    and  adorn  the  doftrine 
they  had  to  deliver,  by  a  circumfpeft  life  and 
converfation.    And  where  any,  by  not  fteadily 
keeping  to  that  which  would  have  preferved 
them,  had  involved  themfelves  in  dithculties, 
either  by  letting  their  minds  out  to  the  gains 
and   profits  of  this  world,  or  otherwife,   his 
tra^^ail  was  great  for  fuch,  that  they  might  be 

brought 


(    268    ) 

brought  through,  and  every  cloud  and   mift 
removed. 

He  was  much  employed  in  vifiting  the  Tick 
and  afflifted,  to  whom  he  admmiftered  his  fpi- 
ritual  advice  and  experience,  and  often  engag- 
ed in  humble  prayer  for  their  fupport;  and  in 
the  diftributing  to  the  neceffitous,  according 
to  his  circumftances,  he  manifefted  his  bene- 
volent difpofition. 

^  As  he  had  been  many  years  under  great  exer- 
cife  and  fufFering  of  fpirit,  on  account  of  the 
ilavery  of  the  poor  Africans,  and  frequently 
bore  teftimony  againft  that  unrighteous  gain 
of  opprelTion,  he  was  of  late  fomewhat  relieved, 
as  he  found  the  eyes  of  the  people  become 
more  open  to  fee  the  iniquity  of  the  praftice; 
and  he  died  in  faith,  that  the  light  of  the  gof' 
pel  will  fo  generally  prevail,  th'it  the  profcf- 
fors  of  Chriftianity  will  find  it  their  duty  to  re- 
ftore  to  thefe  people  their  natural  right  to  liber- 
ty, and  to  inftrudt  them  in  the  principles  of  the 
Chriftian  religion. 

On  the  ^th  day  of  the  fifth  month,  he  was 
violently  fcized  with  the  bilious  cholic,  and 
continued  in  great  pain  feveral  days ;  but  after- 
wards being  fomewhat  eafier,  he  was  at  our 
morning  and  evening  meetings  on  firfl  day, 
the  J  ith  of  the  month,  in  which  he  was  much 
favoured  in  his  publickminiflry,  and  exprefled, 
that  he  thought  his  time  would  not  be  long 
with  us.  After  this  day's  labour,  he  was  again 
confined,  yet  being  a  little  recovered,  he  was  at 

our  meeting  on  fi:ch~  day,  the  24/^  of  the  month, 
which  being  liiiajl,  he  exprefled  his  Ibrrow  for 
it,  and  encouraged  friends  to  diligence  in  the 

attendance 


(  269  ) 

attendance  of  week-day  meetings,  the  benefit 
of  a  faithful  difcharge  of  duty  therein  being 
great.  The  next  day  he  was  at  our  monthly- 
meeting,  and  to  his  own  and  our  admiration, 
was  enabled  to  flay  through  both  our  fittings, 
though  the  lafi:  of  them  was  longer  than  ufual; 
and  he  afterwards  exprefi^ed,  that  he  thought 
himfelf  better  in  the  meeting  than  when  out : 
it  was  a  feafon  of  divine  favour,  and  fome 
weighty  matters  beitig  before  the  meeting,  he 
with  great  opennefs  fpoke  pertinently  and  clear- 
ly to  them,  encouraging  friends  to  the  fupport- 
ing  and  maintaining  our  Chriftian  teftimony, 
againft  all  that  is  contrary  to  it.  This  was  the 
laft  publick  meeting  he  was  at,  being  the  next 
morning  early  feized  with  a  renewed  attack  of 
the  fame  diforder,  which  increafed  on  him 
feveral  days,  and  was  fo  fixed,  that  all  the  en- 
deavours of  feveral  ikilful  phyficians  and  tender 
nurfes,  were  not  efl^eftual  to  remove  it,  though 
in  fome  meafure  to  mitigate  the  pain,  that  he 
fufl^sred  much,  not  being  able  to  lie  down  in 
his  bed  feveral  weeks ;  yet  through  all  he  was 
mercifully  fupported,  in  much  refignation  and 
patience,  rather  inclining,  if  it  was  the  Lord's 
will,  to  be  releafed. 

For  two  or  three  weeks  before  his  ficknefs, 
he  appeared  very  defirous  of  fettling  every 
thing  he  had  to  do  refpedling  the  affairs  of  this 
life,  and  defired  a  friend  to  review  and  tran- 
fcribe  the  fhort  memoirs  he  has  left  of  his  tra- 
vels and  religious  fervices,  and  to  write  his  will, 
which  he  executed  the  day  before  he  was  firft 
taken  fick,  and  then  appeared  eafy  in  his 
mind. 

During 


(       270       ) 

During  the  time  of  his  fickiiefs,  he  often  ex- 
preifed  his  concern,  lelt  his  friends  ihould  be 
too  anxious  for  his  recovery;  faying,  if  he 
ihould  live  longer,  and  through  any  human 
frailty  or  infirmity,  occafion  any  reproach,  it 
would  be  a  caufe  of  forrow  to  them. 

By  the  defire  of  his  friends  who  attended 
him,  he  rode  out  feveral  times,  though  not 
without  much  difficulty,  and  fpent  the  twolaft 
days  of  his  life  at  the  houfes  of  two  of  his  inti- 
mate friends.  As  he  drew  near  his  end,  the 
ftrength  of  his  love  to  mankind  in  general,  and 
his  friends  in  particular,  evidently  increafed, 
much  dcfiring  the  profperity  of  truth,  and  v/hen 
a  meeting  time  came,  h?.d  an  earneil  defire  to  be 
with  friends,  and  particularly  the  day  before 
his  departure. 

During  his  ficknefs,  he  frequently  exprefled 
himfelf  in  a  very  feafonable,  inftrudive,  and 
affeding  manner;  and  the  evening  of  the  firfl: 
day  before  he  died,  feveral  friends  coming  in 
to  fee  him,  he  fpoke  a  conhderable  time  to 
them,  having  before  been  delirous  of  fuch  an 
opportunity  of  the  company  of  his  friends,  to 
fit  down,  and  wait  upon  God,  which  was  his 
great  delight. 

The  lail  day  of  his  life  he  fpent  at  the  houfe 
of  his  friend  Ifrael  Pemberton,  at  German- 
town,  and  was  unufually  free  and  cheerful, 
even  till  ten  o'clock  at  night  ;  when  he  un- 
drefled  himfelf,  and  went  into  bed,  remarking 
on  lying  down,  that  he  had  not  before  been 
able  to  do  fo,  for  five  weeks,  or  upwards,  and 
he  foon  after  fell  alleep,  but  in  a  fliort  time 
was  awakened  by  the  return  of  pain,  and  diffi- 
culty 


(     271     ) 

culty  of  breathing,  which  through  his  illnefs 
he  had  been  much  afflifted  with,  fo  that  he 
was  obliged  to  fet  up  in  bed,  and  thus  conti-^ 
nued,  at  intervals  freely  converfing  with  our 
faid  friend,  who  fat  up  with  him,  and  he  ex- 
preiTed  his  great  thankfulnefs  that  his  head  was 
preferved  free  from  pain,  and  his  underflanding 
clear ;  and  that  though  it  had  been  a  time  of 
clofe  trial,  and  deep  probation,  he  could  fay  he 
felt  the  evidence  of  Divine  fupport  ftill  to 
attend  him.  After  which,  his  pains  increafing, 
he  got  up  and  dreffed  himfelf,  and  walking 
about  the  room  fome  time,  fat  down  in  an  eafy 
chair,  in  which  he  fell  into  a  fweet  fleep,  and 
in  about   three  hours   departed  without   figh 


or  groan. 


Thus  died  this  righteous  man,  who  having 
fought  the  good  fight,  and  kept  the  faith, 
finilhed  his  courfe  in  full  unity  with  us,  and 
univerfally  beloved  by  his  fellow  citizens,  on 
the  iSt/j  day  of  the  fixth  month,  1770,  in  the 
fixty-fecond  year  of  his  age,  and  43^/  of  his 
miniftry.  His  body  was  the  next  day  attended 
by  a  large  number  of  people  of  divers  religious 
denominations,  to  our  meeting-houfe,  and 
afterwards  interred  in  friends  burial-ground  in 
this  city. 


^  Te^imo?2j 


gfSjSEi  '•J!«SSf-S'St?'    '.y^5S^"tL'^J^'*« 


(   272   ) 

A  Tejlhnony  from  Warrington  Monthly  Meeting 
in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  John  Tho- 
mas. 

HE  was  born  in  Chefter  county,  Pennfyl- 
vania, in  the  year  1716,  of  believing 
parents,  and  being  religioufly  inclined  from 
his  youth,  he  received  a  part  in  the  miniftry, 
whereto  being  faithful,  he  experienced  a  growth 
therein.  In  the  year  1766,  he  removed  with 
his  family,  and  fettled  in  Warrington  Town- 
fhip,  York  county,  within  the  limits  of  our 
meeting  :  and  though  his  time  among  us  was 
fhort,  yet  we  have  this  tellimony  to  bear  con* 
cerning  him,  that  his  labours  of  love,  accom- 
panied with  an  exemplary  conduct,  were  com- 
fortable and  inflrufting  to  us. 

In  his  laft  illnefs  (which  was  a  confumption) 
he,  at  times  in  the  beginning  of  it,  complained 
to  fome  of  his  intimate  friends,  of  great  po- 
verty of  fpirit,  and  feemed  deeply  engaged  to 
wreftle  for  ftrength,  to  bear  with  patience  the 
prefent  difpenfation.  And  in  due  time  it  pleafed 
the  Father  of  Mercies,  who  hears  the  fecret 
cries  of  his  depending  children,  to  caufe  the 
mifts  to  be  difpelled,  fo  that,  in  an  opportu- 
nity which  fome  friends  had  with  him  fome 
little  time  before  his  departure,  he  was  much 
favoured,  and  drawn  forth  to  *  Declare  of  the 
'  tender  dealings  of  the  Lord  with  him,  from 

*  his  youth  unto  that  time  ;  earneftly  exhort- 

*  ing  friends  to  faithfulnefs,  efpecially   thofe 

*  on  whom  the  Lord  had   beftowed  a  gift  in 
«  the  miniftrvi*    faying,  *  He  had  loved  the 

♦  Lord 


(      273     ) 

Lord  from  his  youth,  that  he  had  a  fmall 
gift  in  the  miniflry  beftowed  upon  him,  in 
which  he  had  been  concerned  to  be  faithful, 
and  now  he  felt  the  comfort  of  it  -,  feeling 
the  ownings  of  the  Divine  Prefence,  whereby 
he  was  enabled  to  bear  with  patience  his  bo- 
dily afflidion,  having  an  aflurance  of  im- 
mortal reft.  And  that  though  in  the  begin- 
ning of  his  illnefs,  from  the  poverty  of 
fpirit  that  attended  him,  he  was  ready  to 
conclude  that  the  Lord  had  forfaken  him, 
but  now  he  anfwered  him  to  the  joy  of  his 
heart,  and  he  had  to  magnify  his  goodnefs, 
feeing  his  wifdom  therein,  in  weaning  his 
affeftions  more  thoroughly  from  all  lower 
enjoyments,  and  placing  them  on  things 
above.' 

He  advifed  friends  to  humility,  faying,  '  The 
time  draws  near  that  my  body  muft  go  down 
to  the  grave,  wherein  is  no  exaltation  ;  and 
I  have  this  teftimony  to  bear  for  the  Lord, 
that  as  I  have  been  engaged  to  love  him,  and 
walk  humbly  before  him,  deliring  he  might 
give  me  ftrength,  not  having  any  dependence 
on  my  own  wifdom,  I  have  found  him  to 
ftrengthen  me,  and  now  find  him  to  be  near 
me  in  this  pinching  time,  and  comfort  me 
with  the  joys  of  his  prefence.'  Many  and 
comfortable  were  the  expreffions  which  flowed 
from  him,  though  weak  in  body,  and  fcarcely 
able  to  fpeak  intelligibly,  yet  ftrong  and  lively 
in  the  inward  man.  In  great  fweetnefs  of  fpi- 
rit he  departed  this  life,  the  gth  of  the  fifth 
month,  1771,  and  on  the  iitb  of  the  faid 
month,    his  corps,    accompanied    by  a  large 

T  number 


(     274     ) 

number  of  friends  and  others,  was  interred  In 
friends  burying-ground  at  Warrington,  a  fo- 
lemn  meeting  being  held,  and  divers  living 
teftimonies  borne,  to  the  efficacy  of  that  di- 
vine power  which  gives  vidory  over  the  world. 


A  Tejiimony  from    Salem  Monthly-Meeting  in 
New- Jerfey,   concerning  Mary  Lippin- 

COTT. 

FROM  a  motive  of  love  and  efteem,  to  the 
memory  of  this  our  ancient  worthy  friend, 
and  that  furvivors  may  be  encouraged  by  fuch 
pious  examples,  to  embrace  the  truth,  and  per- 
fevere  in  the  way  to  falvation,  we  give  forth 
this  teftimony. 

She  was  the  daughter  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth 
Burr,  by  whom  Ihe  was  religioufly  educated, 
we  believe  to  good  effect ;  for  in  her  very  young 
years,  fhe  clofed  in  with  the  love  and  mercy 
of  God  extended  to  her,  and  did  not  incline  to 
vanity  and  lightnefs,  but  was  a  good  example 
to  other  youths. 

She  married  young,  and  with  her  hufband 
Jacob  Lippincott,  fettled  among  us.  Her  ex- 
emplary conduft,  as  a  wife  and  when  a  widow, 
both  in  the  church,  in  her  family,  and  her 
neighbourhood,  gained  our  great  efteem  5  being 
given  to  hofpitality,  and  liberal  to  the  poor. 

She  was  an  earneft  traveller  in  fpirit  for  the 
caufe  of  truth  on  earth,  folid  and  weighty  in 
her  deportment,  affable  and  inftrudlive  in  con- 
verfation,  frequently  imparting  feafonable  ad- 
monition 


{    ^7S    ) 

monition  and  counfel  to  her  children  and  others^ 
and  though  endowed  with  fuperior  natural 
underftanding,  was  not  exalted  therewith. 

In  the  decline  of  life,  fhe  underwent  much 
bodily  infirmity,  yet  diligently  attended  meet- 
ings when  of  ability,  where  fhe  was  a  humble 
waiter  for  the  arifing  of  the  pure  truth,  travel- 
ling  in   the  deeps  for  the  exaltation  thereof; 
well  qualified  for  fervices  in  the  church,  a  true 
mourner  in  Zion,  being  grieved  for  the  cor- 
ruptions,   vain  fafhions,  and  cufloms  of  the 
times,  and  in  obferving  the  gaiety  and  light- 
nefs  apparent   in   fome,   when   they   came  to 
places  for  worfhip.     It  fell  to  her  lot  in   the 
courfe  of  her  time,  to  meet  with  a  large  fhare 
of  exercifes  and  trials,  which  fhe  bore  with 
great  refignation ;  and  was  a  true  fympathizel: 
with  thofe  under  afflidlion  in  body  or  mind, 
whom   fhe  often  vifited.     Some  time   before 
her  lafl  ficknefs,  fhe  fignified  her  apprehenfion^ 
that  her  day's  work  was  near  over^  and  de- 
parted  this  life,  the  gth  of  the  firfl  month, 
1 77 1,  and  on  the  12th  was  interred  in  friends 
burying-ground  at  Pilefgrove,  in  the  feventy- 
third  year  of  her  age,  having  been  an  elder 
man^  years. 


A  Te/iimony  from  Newcaflle  Monthly  ^Meeting 
tn  Great- Britain,  concerning  William 
Hunt. 


QUR  dear  friend  William  Hunt,  of  New- 
Garden,  in  Guilford  county,  North-Ca- 

T  2  rolina. 


(    276    ) 

rolina,  accompanied  by  his  nephew  Thomas 
ThornboroLigh,  of  the  fame  place,  being  on  a 
religious  vifit  to  friends  of  this  nation,  departed 
this  life,  at  the  houfe  of  a  friend  near  New- 
caftle  upon  Tyne.  The  deep  regard  we  bear 
to  his  memory  and  eminent  fervic'es,  engageth 
us  to  tranfmit  the  following  tellimony  con- 
cerning him. 

They  arrived  in  London  about  a  week  after 
the  yearly-meeting,    1771,  and  attending  feve- 
ral  meetings  in  tliat  city,  proceeded  northward, 
vifiting  friends  in  divers  counties  in  England, 
and  alfo  in  Scotland.     The  cnfuing  winter  was 
fpent  in   vifiting  Yorklhire,    Lancafliire,    and 
Ireland,  returning  to  London  in  time  to  attend 
the  yearly-meeting  there  in  1772.  Then  attend- 
ing the  yearly-meetings  in  Elfex,  Suffolk,  and 
Norfolk,  and  proceeding  through  Lincolnthire 
to  Hull,  they  took  fliipping  for  Holland,  and 
Jiftcr  viliting  the  few  friends   there,  they  em- 
barked for  Scarborough  ;  but  by  contrary  winds 
landed  at  Shields  the  2^th  of  the  eighth  month, 
and  after  being  at  their  meeting  on  the  26/>6, 
came  that  afternoon   to  the  houfe  of  a  friend 
near  Newcaftle  upon  Tyne. 

From  accounts  received,  and  our  own  kr^ow- 
ledge  of  his  condudt  and  minidry,  we  have 
good  caufe  to  believe,  that  in  all  his  travels  in 
Europe,  he  behaved  as  a  f^iithful  minifter  of 
Chrift,  exemplary  and  uniform  in  condusS,  of 
a  weighty  deportment  and  retired  fpirit.  His 
converfation  was  grave  and  inflruclive,  feafoned 
with  love  and  fweetnefs,  which  rendered  his 
company  both  profitable  and  defirable.  His  mi- 
niftry  was  living  and  powerful,  deep  and  fearch- 


I 


11 

i 


(       277       ) 

nig,  an  excellent  example  in  patiently  waiting' 
for  the  clear  manifeftation  of  the  divine  wilf 
and  careful  to  move  accordingly :  fo  that  his 
appearances  in  meetings   were  moftlv  accom- 
panied with  great  folemnity,  in  which  he  fkil- 
fu  ly  divided  the  word,   being  to  the  unfaith- 
ful as  a  two-edged  fword ;   but  to  the  honeft- 
hearted  travellers  in  Zion,  and  to  fuch  as  were 
fecking  the  way  to  God's  kingdom,  his  doc- 
trine was   truly  refre/hing.     He  was  a  man  of 
found  judgment,  quick  of  apprehenfion,  and 
Jeep  in  religious  experience  ;  and  although  he 
was  only  ,n  the  thirty-ninth  year  of  hi^  age. 
yet  fuch  was  his  experience  and  liability,  that 
he  flood  as  an  elder  and  a  father  in  the  church 
worthy  of  double  honour. 

He  attended  the  meeting  at  Newcafllc,  on 

tVv        l^"  '^-^'^  '"°"^'^'  V7^%  in  which 
he  delivered  a  fliort  and  living  teflimony  in 

the  love  of  the  gofpel  to  his  friends  of  that 
^  ^^^!.  ^h.^^3ffernoon  he  was  cheerful,  and  ex- 
preffed  his  fatisfa<flion  in  being  there,  and  upon 
being  afked  what  place  they  intended  for  next 
he  replied,  he  faw  no  further  at  prcfent  than 
Newcaftle.     Next  day  he  was  taken  ill,  which 
was  not  apprehended  to  be  the  fmal]-po^:  till 
the  fourth  day  of  his  illnefs.     V/hcn  the  eruo- 
tion  appeared,  he  faid  to  his  companion,  '  This 
ficknefs  IS   nigh  unto  death,   if  not  quite  •' 
his  companion  fignified  his  hope  that  it  mi<>ht 
not  be   (o.  he  replied,    <  My   coming  hither 
feems  to  be  providential,  and  when  I  wait  I 
am  encloled,  and  fee  no  further.'  At  another 
time  he  made  the   lame   remark   to  a  frieiid 
laying,   ^  It  will  be  a  fore  trial  to  my  co.iipa- 

^   3  nion 


k 


j  I 


(  278  ) 

*  nion  if  I  am  now  removed.'  He  alfo  men- 
tioned in  an  afFeftiqnate  manner  his  dear  wife 
and  children  to  a  friejid  who  attended  him, 
and  requefted  fome  coqnfel  and  advice  (which 
he  then  communicated)  might  be  tranfmitted 
to  them,  if  it  fliould  pleafe  the  Lord  to  remove 
him,  which  was  accordingly  done. 

On  the  third  day  of  his  illnefs,  two  friends 
from  the  country  came  to  vifit  him,  to  whoin 
he  thus  expreffed  himfelf,  viz.   *  I  have  longed 

*  to  fee  you,  and  be  with  you,  but  was  put 
'by;'  one  of  them  faid,  I  hope  we  fliall  have 
thee  with  us  yet;  he  anfwered,  *  That  muft 
^  be  left.'  The  friend  faid,  that  whatever  afflic- 
tion we  are  tried  with,  we  may  yet  fee  caufe 
of  thankfulnefs  ;  he  replied,   *  Great  caufe  in- 

*  deed,  I  never  faw  it  clearer  :  O  the  wifdom  ! 

*  the  wifdom  and  goodnefs,    the  mercy  and 

*  kindnefs  has  appeared  to  me  wonderful,  and 
^  the  further  and  deeper  we  go,  the  more  we 

*  wonder.  I  have  admired  fmce  I  was  caft  up- 
^  on  this  bed,  that  all  the  world  does  not  feek 

*  after  the  truth,  it  fo  far  tranfcends  all  other 
^  things.'  Two  friends  from  Northumberland 
coming  to  vifit  him,  he  faid,  ♦  The  Lord  knows 
^  how  I  have  loved  you  from  our  firft  acquaint^ 
^  ance,  and  longed  for  your  growth  and  efta- 

*  blilTiment  in  the  blefTed  truth  ;  and  now  I 
feel  the  fame  renewed  afrefh ;'  and  faid^  *  He 
much  defired-^ihey  might  fill  up  the  places 

^  Providence  intended,  and  lay  up  treafure  in 

*  Heaven,'  adding,  *  What  would  a  thoufan4  ^ 

*  worlds  avail  me  no\^  ?' 

The  diforder  was  very  heavy  upon  him,  hav- 
ing a  load  of  eruption,  under  which  he  (hewed 

great 


i 


[  279  ) 

great  fortitude  and  patience  even  to  the  admi* 
ration  of  the  phyfician  and  furgeon  who  at- 
tended him  ;  his  mind  being  mercifully  pre- 
ferved  calm,  and  refigned  to  his  Mailer's  will, 
whofe  prefence  he  found  to  be  near  him  in  the 
needful  time,  faying,  •  It  is  enough,  my  Maf- 
'  ter  is  here;'  and  again,  '  He  that  laid  the 

*  foundations  of  the  mountains  knows  this,  if 

*  it  pleafes  him  he  can  remove  it ;'  at  another 
'  time  he  faid  with  great  compofure,  '  The 
'  Lord  knows  beft,  I  am  in  his  hands,  let  him 

*  do  what  he  pleafes.' 

Perceiving  a  friend  to  be  diligent  and  atten- 
tive to  do  what  flie  could  for  him,  he  faid, 
'  The  Lord  refrefli   thy  fpirit,  for  thou  haft 

*  often    refrefhed  this  body,    and    whether  I 

*  live  or  die,  thou  wilt  get  thy  reward.' 
After  the  fecond  fever  came  on,  finding  him- 
felf worfe,    he  faid,  '  My  life  hangs  upon  a 

*  thread.'     The  dodlor  being  fent  for,  he  faid. 
They  are  all  phyficians  of  no  value,  without 

*  the  great  Phyfician.'     A  friend  faid,  I  know 
thy  dependence  is  on  him,  he  anfwered,  '  En- 
tirely.' Underftanding  that  two  friends  who 

had  fat  much  by  him,  did  not  intend  to  leave 
him  that   night,  he  very  fweetly  faid,   *  And 

*  will  you  watch  with  me  one  night  more  ?' 
On  being  alked  how  he  did,  he  faid,  *  I  am 

here  pent  up  and  confined  in  a  narrow  com- 
I  pafs ;  this  is  a  trying  time,   but  my  mind  is 

*  above  it  all ;'  which  was  evident  to  thofe 
about  him,  who  were  fenfible  of  praifes  and 
fweet  melody  in  his  heart  when  few  words 
were  exprefled. 

T  4  A  little 


I 


(    28o    ) 

A  little  before  he  died,  he  faid  triumphantly, 
^  Friends,  truth  is  over  all  /  fo  in  great  peace 
departed  this  life,  the  g^A  day  of  the  ninth 
month,  1772,  and  was  interred  in  friends  bu- 
rying-ground  in  Newcaftle  upon  Tyne,  the 
1 1 M  of  the  fame  month,  accompanied  by  many 
friends ;  upon  which  occafjon  a  folemn  meet- 
ing was  held,  and  divers  teftimonies  borne  to 
the  truth,  in  the  fervice  of  which  he  lived  and 
died,  an  example  to  many  brethren.  A  mi- 
jiifter  24  years. 


*«"»>i*" 


6 


j4  Tejilmony  from  Burlington  Monthly^Meethi^ 
/)2  New- Jerfey,  concerning ]on^  Woolman/ 

TTE  was  born  in  Northampton,  in  the  county 
^^    of  Burlington,    and    province    of   Weft^ 
New-Jerfey,  in  the  eighth  month,  1720,  of  re- 
ligious  parents,   who  inftruded  him  very  early 
in  the  principles  of  the  Chrirtian  religion,  as 
profeflcd  by  the  people  called  Quakers  ;   which 
he   efteemcd   a  bleffing   to    him,  even    in   his 
young  years,  tending  to  preferve  him  from  the 
infeaion  of  wicked  children.    But  through  the 
workings  of  the  enemy,  and  levity  incident  to 
youth,  he  frequently  deviated  from  thofe  pa- 
rental precepts,  by  which  he  laid  a  renewed 
foundation    for    repentance,    that    was    finally 
fucceeded  by  a  godly  forrow  not  to  be  repented 
of;  and  fo  became  acquainted  with  that  fandti- 
fying   power   which  qualities  for   true  gofpel 
miniilry,  into  which  he  was  called  about   the 
tvventy-fecond  year  of  his  age,  and  by  a  faith- 
ful 


\ 


(     281     ) 

fyl  ufe  of  the  talents  committed  to  him,  he 
experienced  an  increafe,  until  he  arrived  at  the 
ftate  of  a  father,  capable  of  dividing  the  word 
aright  to  the  different  ftatcs  he  miniftered  unto; 
dilpenfing  milk  to  babes,  and  meat  to  thofe  of 
riper  years.  Thus  he  found  the  efficacy  of 
that  power  to  arife,  which  in  his  own  expref- 
fions,  *  Prepares  the  creature  to  fland  like  a 
*  trumpet  through  which  the  Lord  fpeaks  to 
'  his  people/  He  was  a  loving  huftand,  a 
tender  father,  and  very  humane  to  every  part 
.of  the  creation  under  his  care. 

His  concern  for  the  poor,  and  thofe  in  af- 
flidion,  was  evident  by  his  vifits  to  them; 
whom  he  frequently  relieved  by  his  affiftance 
and  charity.  He  was  for  many  years  deeply 
cxercifed  on  account  of  the  poor  enllaved  Afri- 
cans, whofe  caufe,  as  he  fometimes  mentioned, 
lay  almoft  continually  upon  him  ;  and  to  obtain 
liberty  to  thofe  captives,  he  laboured  both  in 
public  and  private,  and  was  favoured  to  fee 
his  endeavours  crowned  with  confiderable  fuc- 
cefs.  He  was  particularly  dcfirous  that  friends 
fhould  not  be  inftrumental  to  lay  burdens  on 
this  oppreffed  people,  but  remember  the  days 
of  fuffering  from  which  they  had  been  provi- 
dentially delivered,  that  if  times  of  trouble 
fhould  return,  no  injuftice  dealt  to  thofe  in 
flayery  might  rife  in  juftice  againft  us;  but, 
being  clear,  we  might  on  fuch  occafions  addrefs 
the  Almighty  with  a  degree  of  confidence,  for 
his  interpofition  and  relief:  being  particularly 
carelul  as  to  himfelf,  not  to  countenance  flavery, 
even  by  the  ufe  of  thofe  conveniencies  of  life 
which  were  furnifhed  by  their  labour. 

He 


(       282       ) 

He  was  dcfirous  to  have  his  own,  and  the 
minds  of  others,  redeemed  from  the  pleafures 
and  immoderate  profits  of  this  world,  and  to 
fix  them  on  thofe  joys  which  fade  not  away ; 
his  principal  care  being  after  a  life  of  purity^ 
endeavouring    to    avoid   not    only  the  grofler 
pollutions,  but  thofe  alfo  which,  appearing  in 
a  more  refined  drefs,  are  not  fufficiently  guarded 
againft  by  fome  well  difpofed  people.     In  the 
latter  part  of  his  life  he  was  remarkable  for  the 
plainnefs  and  fimplicity  of  his   drefs,  and  as 
much  as  poffible,  avoided  the  ufe  of  plate,  coftly 
furniture,  and  feafting;  thereby  endeavouring 
to  become  an  example  of  temperance  and  felf- 
denial,  which  he  believed  himfelf  called   un- 
to; and  was  favoured  with  peace  therein,  al- 
though it  carried  the  appearance  of  great  au- 
fterity  in   the  view  of  fome.     He  was   very 
moderate  in  his  charges  in  the  way  of  bufinefs, 
and  in  his  defires  after  gain ;  and  though  a  man 
of  induftry,  avoided,  and  ftrove  much  to  lead 
others  out  of  extreme  labour,  and  anxioufnefs 
after  perifhable  things ;  being  defirous  that  the 
ftrength  of  our  bodies  might  not  be  fpent  in 
procuring   things    unprofitable,    and   that  we 
might    ufe  moderation    and   kindnefs    to    the 
brute  animals  under  our  care,  to  prize  the  ufe 
of  them  as  a  great  favour,  and  by  no  means 
abufe  them;  that  the  gifts  of  Providence  fhould 
be  thankfully  received,  and  applied  to  the  ufes 
they  were  defigned. 

He  feveral  times  opened  a  fchool  at  Mount- 
Holly,  for  the  inftrudion  of  poor  friends  chil- 
dren and  others,  being  concerned  for  their  help 
and  improvement  therein.   His  love  and  care 

for 


i 


(  283  ) 

for  the  rifing  youth  among  us  was  truly  great, 
recommending  to  parents,  and  thofe  who  have 
the  charge  of  them,  to  chufe  confcientious  and 
pious  tutors,  faying,    •  It  is  a  lovely  fight  to 

*  behold  innocent  children,'  and  that  *  To  la-* 
^  hour  for  their  help  againft  that  which  would 

*  marr  the  beauty  of  their  minds,  is  a  debt 
■    we  owe  them/ 

His  miniftry  was  found,  very  deep  and  pe- 
netrating, fometimes  pointing  out  the  dange- 
rous fituation  which  indulgence  and  cuftom 
leads  into;  frequently  exhorting  others,  efpe- 
cially  the  youth,  not  to  be  difcouraged  at  the 
difficulties  which  occur,  but  prefs  after  purity. 
He  often  exprefled  an  earneft  engagement  that 
pure  wifdom  fliould  be  attended  to,  which 
would  lead  into  lowlinefs  of  mind  and  refio-. 
nation  to  the  divine  will,  in  which  ftatc  fmali 
pofTeffions  here  would  be  fufficient. 

In  tranfadling  the  affairs  cf  difcipline,  his 
judgment  was  found  and  clear,  and  he  was  very 
ufeful  in  treating  with  thofe  who  had  done 
amifs ;  he  vifited  fuch  in  a  private  way,  in  that 
plainnefs  which  truth  diftates,  fliewing  great 
tendernefs  and  Chriftian  forbearance.  He  was 
a  conftant  attender  of  our  yearly-meeting,  in 
which  he  was  a  good  example,  and  particularly 
ufeful;  affifting  in  the  bufinefs  thereof  with 
great  weight  and  attention.  He  feveral  times 
vifited  moft  of  the  nieetings  of  friends,  in  this 
and  the  neighbouring  provinces,  with  the  con- 
currence of  the  monthly-meeting  to  which  he 
belonged,  and  we  have  reafon  to  believe  had 
good  fervice  therein,  generally,  or  always  ex- 
|)reffing  at  his  return,  how  it  had  fared  with 

him. 


I 


i 


(    284    ) 

him,  and  the  evidence  of  peace  in  his  mind  for 
thus  performing  his  duty.  He  was  often  con- 
cerned with  other  friends  in  the  important 
fervice  of  vifiting  families,  which  he  was  en- 
abled to  go  through  to  fatisfadion. 

In  the  minutes  of  the  meeting  of  minifters 
and  elders  for  this  quarter,  at  the  foot  of  a 
lift  of  the  members  of  that  meeting,  made 
about  five  years  before  his  death,  we^  find  in 
his  hand-writing  the  following  obfervation  and 
reflexions.  *  As  looking  over  the  minutes 
'  made  by  perfons  who  have  put  off  this  body, 

*  hath  fometimes  revived  in  me  a  thought  how 

*  ages  pafs  away;  fo  this  lift  may  probably 
'  revive  a  like  thought  in  fome,   when   I  and 

*  the  reft  of  the  perfons  above-named,  arc  cen- 
'  tered  in  another  ftate  of  being.  The  Lord, 
'  who  was  the  guide  of  my  youth,  hath  in 
'  tender  mercies  helped  me  hitherto ;  he  hath 
'  healed  me  of  wounds,  he  hath  helped  me  out 

*  of  grievous  entanglements;  he  remains  to  be 
'  the  ftrcngth  of  my  life  ;  to  whom  I  defire  to 
'  devote  myfelf  in  time,  and  in  eternity. 

Signed,  John  Woolman. 

In  the  twelfth  month,  1771,  he  acquainted 
this  meeting,  that  he  found  his  mind  drawn 
towards  a  religious  vifit  to  friends  in  fome  parts 
of  England,  particularly  in  Yorklhire.  In  the 
firft  month  1772,  he  obtained  our  certificate, 
which  was  approved  and  endorfed  by  our 
quarterly-meeting,  and  by  the  half  year's 
meeting  of  minifters  and  elders  at  PhiladeU 
phia.  He  embarked  on  his  voyage  in  the  fifth, 
and   arrived    in   London  in    the  fixth   month 

iullowing. 


i 


(     285     ) 

following,  at  the  time  of  their  annual  meet- 
ing in   that   city.     During  his   ftort  vifit   to 
friends  in  that  kingdom,  we  are  informed  that 
his  fervices  were  acceptable  and  edifyinor.     j^ 
his    laft    illnefs   he    uttered    many  livefy  and 
comfortable  exprefiions,   being  '  Pcrfecftly  re- 
*  figned,  having  no  will  either  to  live  or 'die  ' 
as  appears  by  the  teftimony  of  friends  at  York 
m  Great-Britain ;   in   the  fuburbs  whereof,  at 
the  houfe  of  our  friend  Thomas  Prieftman,'  he 
died  of  the  fmall-pox,  on  the  ytb  day  of  the 
tenth  month  1772,  and  was  buried  in  friends 
burying-ground  in   that  city,    on   the  gth  of 
the  lame,   after  a  large  and  folid  meeting  held 
on  the  occafion,   at  their  great  meeting-houfe 
aged  near  fifty-two   years;   a  minifter  upwards 
of    30  years,  during  which  time  he  belon^red 
to  Mount- Holly  particular   meeting,    whtch 
he  diligently  attended  when  at  home  and  in 
health  of  body,  and  his  labours  of  love  and 
pious   care  for  the  profperity  of  friends  in  the 
blelled  truth,  we  hope  may  not  be  forgotten, 
but  that  his  good  works  may  be  remembered  to 
edification. 

^  Teftimony  from  the  ^arterly-Meeting  at 
York  in  Great-Britain,  concerning  J  o  h  m 
Woolman. 

'^HIS  our   valuable   friend  having   been 

under  a  religious   engagement   for  fome 

time,  to  vifit  friends  in  this  nation,  and  more 

cipecially  us  in  the  northern  parts,  undertook 

th3 


ill 


I 


if 


(    236    ) 

the  fame  in  full  concurrence  and  near  fympathy 
with  his  friends  and  brethren  at  home,  as  ap- 
peared by  certificates  from  the  monthly  and 
quarterly-meetings  to  which  he  belonged,  and 
from  the  fpring-meeting  of  minifters  and  el- 
ders, held  at  Philadelphia,  for  Pennfylvania 
and  New-Jerfey. 

^  He  arrived  in  the  city  of  London  the  begin- 
ning of  the  laft  yearly-meeting,  and  after  attend- 
ing that  meeting,  travelled  northward,  vifiting 
the  quarterly-meetings  of  Hertfordfhire,  Buck- 
inghamfliire,  Northamptonlhire,  Oxfordfhire, 
and  VVorcefterfliire,  and  divers  particular  meet- 
ings in  his  way. 

He  vifited  many  meetings  on  the  weft-fide 
of  this  county,  alfo  fome  in  Lancafhire  and 
VVeftmoreland,  from  whence  he  came  to  our 
quarterly-meeting  in  the  laft  ninth  month,  and 
though  much  out  of  health,  yet  was  enabled  to 
attend  all  the  fittings  of  that  meeting,  except 
the  laft.  ^ 

His  diforder  then,  which  proved  the  fmall- 
pox,  increafed  fpeedily  upon  him,  and  was  very 
affliding;  under  which  he  was  fupported  in 
much  meeknefs,  patience,  and  Chriftian  forti- 
tude. To  thofe  who  attended  him  in  his  illnefs, 
his  mind  appeared  to  be  centered  in  divine  love ; 
under  the  precious  influence  whereof,  wc  be- 
lieve he  finiflied  his  courfe,  and  entered  into 
the  manfions  of  everlafting  reft. 

In  the  early  part  of  his  illnefs,  he  requefted 
a  friend  to  write,  and  he  broke  forth  thus. 

*  O  Lord  my  God  !  the  amazing  horrors  of 
«  darknefs  were  gathered  around  me,  and  co- 
*  vered  me  all  over,  and  I  faw  no  way  to  go 

*  forth. 


I 


I 


(     2S7     ) 

forth.    I  felt  the  mifery  of  my  fellow  crea- 
tures feparated  from  the  divine  harmony,  and 
it  was  heavier  than  I  could  bear,  and  I  was 
crushed  down  under  it ;  I  lifted  up  my  hand, 
and  ftretched  out  my  arm,    but  there  was 
none  to  help  me.    I  looked  round  about  and 
was  amazed.     In  the  depths  of  mifery,   O 
Lord !  I  remembered  that  thou  art  omnipo- 
tent, that  I  had  called  thee  Father,  and  I  felt 
that  I  loved  thee,  and  I  was  made  quiet  in 
thy  will,  and  I  waited  for  deliverance  from 
thee ;  thou  hadft  pity  upon  me,  when  no  mam 
could  help  me.    I  faw  that  meeknefs  under 
fuffering  was  fhewed  to  us  in  the  moft  affed:- 
ing  example  of  thy  Son,  and  thou  waft  teach- 
ing me  to  follow  him,  and  I  faid.  Thy  will,  O 
Father,  be  done.' 
Many  more  of  his  weighty  expreffions  might 
have  been  inferted  here,  but  it  was  deemed  un- 
neceffary,  they  being  already  publiflied  in  print. 
He  was  a  man  endued  with  a  large  natural 
capacity,  and  being  obedient  to  the  manifefta- 
tions  of  divine  grace,  having  in  patience  and 
humility  endured  many  deep  baptifms,  he  be- 
came thereby  fan6tified  and  fitted  for  the  Lord's 
work,  and  was  truly  ferviceable  in  his  church. 
Dwelling  in  awful  fear  and  watchfulnefs,  he 
was  careful  in  his  publick  appearances  to  feel 
the  putting  forth  of  the  divine  hand,   fo  that 
the  fpring  of  the  gofpel  miniftry  often   flowed 
through  him  with  great  fweetnefs  and  purity, 
as  a  refreftiing  ftream  to   the   weary  travellers 
towards  the  city  of  God.     Skilful  in  dividing 
the  word,  he  was  furniftied  by  him  in  whom 
are  hid  all  the  treafures  of  wifdom  and  know- 

ledge. 


(       2^8       ) 

ledge,  to  communicate  freely  to  the  feveral 
ftates  of  the  people  where  his  lot  was  caft.  His 
conduft  at  other  times  was  feafoned  with  the 
like  watchful  circumfpeftion  and  attention  to 
the  guidance  of  divine  wifdom,  which  render- 
ed his  whole  converfation  uniformly  edifying. 

He  was  fully  perfuaded,  that  as  the  life  of 
Chrift  comes  to  reign  in  the  earth,  all  abufe 
and  unnecefTary  opprelTion,  both  of  the  human 
and  brute  creation,  will  come  to  an  end;  but 
under  the  fenfe  of  a  deep  revolt,  and  an  over- 
flowing ftream  of  unrighteoufnefs,  his  life  has 
been  often  a  life  of  mourning. 

He  was  deeply  concerned  on  account  of  that 
inhuman  and   iniquitous    praftice  of  makino- 
flaves  of  the  people  of  Africa,  or  holding  them 
in    that  fiate;  and  on  that  account  we  under- 
Hand  he  hath  not  only  wrote  fome  books,  but 
travelled  much  on  the  continent  of  America,  ia 
order  to  make   the   negroe  mafters  (efpecially 
thofe  in  profcllion  with  us)  fenfible  of  the  evil 
of  fuch  a  practice.    And  though  in  this  journey 
to  England,  he  was  far  removed  from  the  out- 
ward fight  of  their  fuftcrings,  yet  his  deep  exer- 
cife  of  mind  remained,  as  appears  by  a  fliort 
treatife  he  wrote  in  this  journey,  and  his  fre- 
quent concern  to   open  the  miferable  ftate  of 
this  deeply  injured  people.     His  teftimony  in 
the  lall:  meeting  he  attended  was  on    this  fub- 
jed:;  wherein  he  remarked,  that  as  we  as  a  focie- 
ty,  when  under  outward  fufferings,  had  often 
found  it  our  concern  to  lay  them   before  thofe 
in  authority,  and  thereby  in  the  Lord's  time 
had  obtained  relief,    fo   he   recommended  this 
opprelled  part  of  the  creation  to  our  notice, 

that 


f 


J 


(  289  ) 

that  we  may  as  way  may  open,  reprefent  their 
fufferings  in  an  individual,  if  not  a  fociety,  ca- 
pacity to  thofe  in  authority. 

Deeply    fenfible   that  the  defire  to   gratify 
people's  inclinations  in  luxury  and  fuperflui- 
ties,  is  the  principal  ground  of  oppreffion,  and 
theoccafion  of  many  unnecefTary  wants,  he  be- 
lieved it  to  be  his  duty  to  be  a  pattern  of  great 
felf-denial,  with  refpedl  to  the  things  of  this 
lifcj  and  earneflly  to  labour  with  friends  in  the 
meeknefs  of  wifdom,  to  imprefs  on  their  minds 
the  great  importance  of  our  teflimony  in  thefe 
things,   recommending  to  the  guidance  of  the 
blefled  truth  in  this  and  all  other  concerns,  and 
cautioning    fuch    as  are   experienced    therein, 
againft  contenting  themfelves  with  adling  up  to 
the  flandard  of  others,   but   to   be  careful   to 
make  the  ftandard  of  truth  manifefled  to  them, 
the  meafure  of  their  obedience.   *  For,'  faid  he, 

*  that    purity   of    life    which    proceeds   from 

*  faithfulnefs  in  following  the  fpirit  of  truth, 
that  flate  where  our  minds  are  devoted  to 

'  ierve  God,  and  all  our  wants  are  bounded  by 
'  his  wifdom ;  this  habitation  has  often  been 

*  opened  before  me  as  a  place  of  retirement  for 

*  the  children  of  the  light,  where  they  may 

*  ftand  feparated  from  that  which  difordereth 
'  and  confufeth  the  affairs  of  fociety,  and  where 

we  may  have  a  teftimony  of  our  innocence  in 

*  the  hearts  of  thofe  who  behold  us.' 

We  conclude  with  fervent  defires,  that  we 
as  a  people  may  thus,  by  our  example,  promote 
the  Lord's  work  in  the  earth;  and  our  hearts 
bemg  prepared,  may  unite  in  prayer  to  the  great 
Lord  of  the  harveft,  that  as  in  his  infinite  wif- 

U  dom 


(   290   ) 

dom  he  hath  greatly  ftripped  the  church,  by 
removing  of  late  divers  faithful  minifters  and 
elders,  he  may  be  pleafed  to  fend  forth  many 
more  faithful  labourers  into  his  harvcft. 

#§§§^ 

^be following  Minutes  of  fome  of  his  exprejfons 
in  the  time  of  his  fickncfsy  were  preferved  by 
our  friend  Thomas  Prieftman,  and  others 
who  attended  him,  viz. 

POURTH-DAY  morning,  30//^  of  the 
•*-  ninth  month,  1772,  being  ailced  how  he 
felt  himfelf,  he  meekly  anfvvered,  I  do  not 
know  that  I  have  flept  this  night  j  I  feel  the 
diforder  making  its  progrefs,  but  my  mind  is 
mercifully  preferved  in  ftillnefs  and  peace. 
Some  time  after  he  faid,  he  was  fenfible  the  pains 
of  death  muft  be  hard  to  bear^  but  if  he  efcap- 
-ed  them  now,  he  muft  fome  time  pafs  through 
them,  and  he  did  not  know  that  he  could  be 
better  prepared,  but  had  no  will  in  it.  He 
faid  he  had  fettled  his  outward  affairs  to  his 
■mind,  had  taken  leave  of  his  wife  and  family 
as  never  to  return,  leaving  them  to  the  divine 
proteclion;  adding,  and  though  I  feel  them 
near  to  me  at  this  time,  yet  I  freely  give  them 
-up,  having  a  hope  that  they  will  be  provided 
for.  And  a  little  after  fiid.  This  trial  is  made 
eafier  than  I  could  have  thought,  my  will  beino- 
wholly  taken  away;  for  if  I  was  anxious  for 
the  event,  it  would  have  been  harder,  but  I  am 
not;^and  my  mind  enjoys  a  perfect  calm. 

la 


I 


(  291  ) 

In  the  night  a  young  woman  having  given 
him  fomethmg  to  drink,  he  faid.  My  child 
thou  feems  very  kind  to  me  a  poor  creature. 
the  Lora  will  reward  thee  for  it.    Awhile  after 
he  cried  out  with  great  earneftnefs  of  fpirit. 
Oh  my  Father !   my  Father!  and  foon  aftfr  he 
faid.   Oh  my  Father!  my  Father!  how  com- 
iortable  art  thou  to  my  foul  in  this  tryine  fea- 
fon.     Being  alked  if  he  could  take  a  little  nou- 
rishment;   after  fome   paufe  he  replied,    Mv 
child  I  cannot  tell  what  to  fay  to  it ;  I  feem 
nearly  arrived   where   my  foul  Ihall  have  reft 
from  all  its  troubles.     After  giving  in  fome- 
th  ng  to  be  inferted  in  his  Journal,  he  laid,   I 
believe  the  Lord  will  now  excufe  me  from  ex- 
erciies  of  this  kind,  and  I  fee  no  work  but  one 
which  IS  to  be  the  laft  wrought  by  me  in  this 
world ;   the  melfenger  will  come  that  will  re- 
leale  me  from  all  thcfe  troubles ;  but  it  muft 

He  faid  he  had  laboured  to  do  whatever  was 
required,  according  to  the  ability  received,  in 
the   remembrance    of  which    he   had   peace- 
and   though  the  diforder  was  ftrong  at  times, 
and    would  like  a  whirlwind  come  over  his 
niind;  yet  it  had   hitherto   been  kept   fteady 
and  centered  in  everlafting  love,    adding,  and 
It    that   be   mercifully   continued,     I   alk    nor 
dehre  more.     Another  time   he  faid,   he  had 
long  had  a  vew  of  viliting  this  nation,  and 
fome  time  before  he  came  had   a  dream,   "n 
which  he  iaw  himfelf  in  the  northern  parts  of 
It,  ana  that  the  fpring  of  the  gofpel  was  opened 
n  h.m  much  as  in  the  beginning  of  friends, 
inch  as  George  Fox  and  William  Dewfturv 

U  2  '' 


ft 


(   292   ) 

and  he  faw  the  different  ftates  of  the  people, 
as  clear  as  he  had  ever  feen  flowers  in  a  crar- 
den ;  but  in  his  going  along  he  was  fuddenly 
ftopt,  though  he  could  not  fee  for  what  end; 
but  looking  towards  home,  fell  into  a  flood  of 
tears,  which  waked  him. 

At  another  time  he  faid.  My  draught  feemcd 
ftrongeft  towards  the  north,  and  I  mentioned 
in  my  own  monthly-meeting,  that  attending 
the  quarterly-meeting  at  York,  and  being  there, 
looked  like  home  to  me. 

Fifth-day  night,  having  repeatedly  confented 
to  take  medicine  with  a  view  to  fettle  his  fto- 
niach,  but  without  efl^edt,  the  friend  then 
waiting  on  him,  faid  through  diftrefs.  What 
fhall  I  do^now  ?  He  anfwered  with  great  com- 
pofure.  Rejoice  evermore,  and  in  every  thing 
give  thanks :  but  a  little  time  after.  This  is 
fometimes  hard  to  come  at. 

Sixth-day  morning  he  broke  forth  early  in 
fupplication  on  this  wife  :  O  Lord,  it  was  thy 
power  that  enabled  me  to  forfake  fin  in  my 
youth,  and  I  have  felt  thy  bruifes  for  difobedi- 
ence;  but  as  I  bowed  under  them  thou  healed 
me,  continuing  a  father  and  a  friend.  I  feel 
thy  power  now,  and  I  beg  that  in  the  ap- 
proaching trying  moment  thou  wilt  keep  my 
heart  fteadfall  unto  thee.  Upon  his  giving 
diredions  to  a  friend  concerning  fome  little 
things,  ihe  laid  I  will  take  care,  but  hope  thou 
wilt  live  to  order  them  thyfelf  j  he  replied.  My 
hope  is  in  ChrilT:,  and  though  I  may  feern 
a  little  better,  a  change  in  the  diforder  may 
foon  happen,  and  my  little  ftrength  be  dif- 
folved;  and  if  it  fo  happens,  1  lliall  be  gathered 
to  my  everkfting  reft.     On  her  faying  ihe  did 

not 


( 


(  293  ) 

not  doubt  that,  but  could  not  help  mourn- 
ing to  lee  fo  many  faithful  fervants  removed 
at  10  low  a  time,  he  faid.  All  good  cometh  from 
the  Lord    whole  power  is  the  fame,  and  can 
work  as   he  fees  beft.     The  fame  day  he  had 
given    direAons    about  wrapping  his  corps: 
perceiving  a  friend  to  weep,  he  faid  I  would 
rather  thou  wouldft  guard  againft  weepin;^  for 
me    my  hfter:    I  forrow  not,   though  I  have 
had  fomc  pamful  conflifts,  but  now  they  feem 
over    and   matters   well  fettled,  and  I  look  at 
the  face  of  my  dear  Redeemer,  for  fweet  is  his 
voice,  and  hjs  countenance  is  comely 

Firrt-day,    4//.  of  the   tenth    month,    being 
very  weak,  and  in  general  dirhcult  to  be  under- 
Itood,  he  uttered  a  few  words  in  commemora- 
tion of  the  Lord's  goodnefs  j  and  aSded,  How 
tenderly  have  I  been  waited  on  in  this  time  of 
ahlichon,  m   which  I  may  fay  in  Job's  words, 
ledious   days  and  wearifome  nights   are  ap- 
pomted  unto  me.  And  how  many  are  fpendin- 
their  time  and  money  in  vanity  and  fuperfluit 
ties,    while   thoufands  and   tens  of  thoulands 
want  the  necelTaries  of  life,  who  might  be  re- 
lieved   by  them,   and  their  diftrelTes  at  fuch  a 
time  as  this,  in  fome  degree  foftened  by  the  ad- 
miniltring  fui table  things  ? 

Second-day  morning  the  apothecary,  who 
appeared  very  anxious  to  affift  him,  being  pre- 
lent,  he  queried  about  the  probability  of  fuch 
a  load  of  matter  being  thrown  off  his  weak 
body,  and  the  apothecary  making  fome  remarks 
"nplymg  tha^  he  thought  it  might ;  he  fpoke 
«"h  an  audible  voice  on  this  wife.  My  de- 
pendance  is  on   the  Lord  Jefus,  who  I  truft 

U  3  will 


(  294  ) 
will  forgive  my  fins,  which  is  all  I  hope  for; 
and  if  it  be  his  will  to  raifc  up  this  body  again, 
I  am  content;  and  if  to  die,  I  am  refigned; 
and  if  thou  canft  not  be  eafy  without  trying 
to  affift  nature,  I  fubmit.  After  which  his 
throat  was  fo  much  affefted,  that  it  was  very 
difficult  for  him  to  fpeak  fo  as  to  be  under- 
jftood,  and  frequently  wrote  when  he  wanted 
any  thing.  About  the  fecond  hour  on  fourth- 
day  morning  he  ailced  for  pen  and  ink,  and  at 
feveral  times  with  much  difficulty  wrote  thus, 
I  believe  my  being  here  is  in  the  wifdom  of 
Chrift,  I  know  not  as  to  life  or  death. 

About  a  quarter  before  fix  the  fame  morn- 
ing he  feemed  to  fall  into  an  eafy  fieep,  which 
continued  about  half  an  hour;  when  feeming  to 
awake,  he  breathed  a  few  times  with  more  dif- 
ficulty, and  expired  without  figh,  groan,  or 
flruggle. 


A  Tejlimony  from  Derby  Mo7ithly -^Meeting  in 
Pennfylvania,  conceniingW \i.h\Ai,i  Horne. 

» 

TTE  was  born  in  the  county  of  Suflex,  Great 
^^  Britain,  in  the  year  17 14,  and  came  with 
his  parents  to  Philadelphia  about  the  year  1724; 
in  1736  he  came  to  refide  in  this  townfhip' 
where  he  continued  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
He  married  in  1737,  and  in  1746  he  appeared 
in  public  teftimony  in  our  religious  meetings, 
and  being  obedient  to  the  heavenly  call,  be- 
came an  able  minifter  of  the  gofpel. 

In 


•I 


(     295     ) 

In  the  year  1752  he  vifited  the  meetings  of 
friends  in  New-England;  and  in  the  fourtli 
month  1763,  embarked  for  Great  Britain, 
where  he  vifited  the  meetings  generally  in 
England,  and  fome  parts  of  Wales,  returning 
home  in  the  tenth  month  1764,  to  the  great 
fatisfiiftion  of  his  family  and  friends.  He  alfo, 
at  feveral  other  times,  vifited  moil;  of  the  meet- 
ings in  Pennfylvania  and  New-Jerfey,  and  the 
back  parts  of  Maryland  and  Virginia;  it  ap- 
pearing, by  certificates  produced,  that  his  la- 
bours of  love  were  acceptable  to  friends. 

His  minifterial  labours  were  frequent,  lively, 
and  edifying,  adorning  the  dodlrine  he  preached 
by  a  circumfped:  life  and  converfation,  being 
zealoufly  concerned  for  the  maintenance  of 
good  order  in  the  church,  a  good  example  in 
his  family,  careful  to  bring  up  his  children  in 
diligently  attending  religious  meetings,  and 
manifefting  his  care  in  divers  refpedts  for  their 
prefent  and  future  welfare.  Kind  and  hofpi- 
tablc  to  friends,  his  houfe  and  heart  being  open 
for  their  reception. 

He  departed  this  life,  at  his  own  habitation, 
the  wth  of  the  eleventh  month  1772,  in  the 
fifty-ninth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  26th  of  his 
miniilry,  and  was  interred  in  friends  burying- 
ground  at  Derby  aforelaid. 


U 


A  TeJlimGnj 


(    296    ) 

ATeflmony  from\Ax.x\^  Egg- Harbour  Monthly- 
Meeting  in   New-Jerfey,  concerning   John 

R  IDG  WAY. 

TTE   was  born  in  the  county  of  Burlington, 
^^  in  Weft-New- Jerfey,   in   the  year  1705, 
and    Ibon^  after   came    with    his  parents,  and 
fettled  within   the   compafs  of  this  meeting. 
He  was  religioufly  educated,  which  as  he  grew 
in  years,  had  a  good  effed,    by  his  yielding 
obedience  to  the  heavenly  vifion  of  light  and 
grace  in  his   own  mind,   which  weaned  him 
irom  the  vanities  of  the   world.     He  was   a 
fteady  and  conftant  attender  of  meetings  wheti 
at  home  and  in  health;   and  although  his  cir- 
cumftances  in  life  made  him  apprehend  it  ne- 
cefTary  to  follow  the  fea  for  a  time,  yet  by  at^ 
tending   to  the   divine  principle  of  grace,   he 
was   preferved   from  that  extravagance  in   his 
condud  and  converfation  too  prevalent  in  men 
in  that   bufmefs.     He   was   early  in   life  ap- 
pointed to  the  ftation  of  an  elder  in  the  church, 
in  which  he  conduced  with  reputation.    Being 
of  a  benevolent  fpirit,  his  heart  and  houfe  were 
open  to  entertain  his  friends  and  others,  cheer- 
fully and  liberally  affifting  the  poor  in  many 
refpefts;  and  in  an  cxtenfive  commerce  and 
converfation  amongft  men  of  various  ranks,  he 
demeaned   himfelf  with  a   becoming  gravity, 
which  rendered  him  truly  worthy  of  efteem. 
He  was  carefully  concerned  that  his  children 
and  other  youth,  might  partake  of  the  benefits 
of  a   fober  education;    and    in    his   declining 
years,  was  much  afflia:ed  with  bodily  indifpo- 

lition. 


1 


(     297     ) 

fitlon,  which  he  was  enabled  to  bear  with  pa- 
tience and  refignation;  often  expreffing  a  de- 
fire  to  be  contented  with  the  divine  will. 

He  quietly  departed  this  life,  on  the  2\Jl  of 
the  fifth  month  1774,  aged  near  feventy  years, 
^nd  was  buried  at  Egg-Harbour. 


A  Tiftimony  from  Plainfield  Monthly -Meeting  in 
New-Jerfey,  concerning  John  Vail. 

OUR  worthy  and  much  efteemed  friend  John 
Vail,  was  born  nt  Weft-Chefter,  in  the 
province  of  New-York,  and  removed  from 
thence  while  young  to  Woodbridge,  where  he 
fettled  and  married.  He  was  when  a  youth 
reached  by  the  power  of  truth,  and  fubmitting 
to  the  crofs,  he  became  fober  and  religious  -, 
and  continuing  faithful  and  obedient  to  what 
he  believed  to  be  his  duty,  the  Lord  in  infinite 
mercy  was  pleafcd  to  beftow  on  him  a  gift 
in  the  gofpcl  miniftry,  and  he  proving  faith- 
ful with  the  one  talent,  witnelled  an  increafe 
^nd  growth  in  the  truth,  and  was  enlarged  in 
his  public  tcftimony,  whereby  the  church  was 
edified,  and  the  faithful  comforted.  Having 
a  regard  to  the  putting  forth  of  the  divine  hand, 
he  waited  in  meetings  for  proper  qualifications 
to  minifter  in  the  ability  that  God  gives,  where- 
by he  was  often  enabled,  not  only  to  reprove 
the  unrighteoufnefs  of  men,  but  to  fpeak  com- 
fort .bly  to  thofe  who  mourned  for  the  pride 
and  abominations  of  the  times.  He  often  men- 
tioned the  plainnefs  and  fimplicity  which  our 

forciuiners 


Ihr 


(  298  ) 

forefathers  appeared  in,  and  was  forrowfully  af- 
fefted  for  many  of  the  prefent  generation,  in 
that  they  flighted  their  good  examples,  and'in- 
dulged  themfelves  in  many  things  which  thofe 
worthy  men  bore  a  faithful  tefiimony  againft. 
He  v/as  a  diligent  attender  of  meetings,  and  very 
exemplary  in    being  early  there,  even   to   old 
age,  when  of  ability  of  body;   often  exciting 
friends  to  that  duty,  not  as  formalifts,  but  pa- 
tiently to  wait  for  qualification  to  perform  ac- 
ceptable worfhip  to  the  Almighty.     His  out- 
ward circumftances  being  low,  he  was  very  in- 
duftrious,    labouring  with   his    hands  for   the 
fupport  of  himfelf  and  fimily,  to  an  advanced 
age,   being   very    loth   to    be    burdenfome   to 
friends. 

He  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  and  on  his 
death-bed  expreffed  his  great  fatisfacftion,  and 
refignation  to  the  will  of  the  Almighty,  and 
faid  he  had  often  confidered  that  pafTage  of 
fcripture,  ''  If  our  hearts  condemn  us  not, 
*'  God   is  greater:''  adding,   '  But  my  heart 

•  condemns  me  not,   for  I  have  walked  in  in- 

*  nocency  from    my  youth    up/     He    divers 
times  fignified  his  being  ready  and  willing  to 
leave  the  world.     As  our  dear  friend  walked 
in  rightcoufnefs  and  humility,  he  increafed  in 
divine  experience,  and   his  "lamp  fhone  bright 
to  the  laft.      He  departed  this  life  on  the  zjtb 
of  the  eleventh  month,    1774,  in  the  eighty- 
ninth  year  of  his   age,  much   beloved    by  his 
friends,  neighbours,  and  acquaintance  in  gene-, 
ral ;   a    large    number  of  whom   attended  [his 
corps  to  the  grave,    where,  after  a  folid  meet- 
ing 


(     299     ) 

ing  on  the  occafion,  it  was  interred  in  friends 
burrying-ground  at  Rahway. 


A  Tejlimony    from  Gofhen  Monthly-Meeting  in 
Pennfylvania,   conccrjiing  Thomas    Good- 


win, 


TTE  was  born  in  the  principality  of  Wales  in 
-■■-*'  the  year  1694,  and  came  over  to  Pennfyl- 
vania with  his  parents  about  the  vear  1708; 
and  according  to  the  beft  accounts  we  can  col- 
led:, he  appeared  in  the  miniftry  near  the 
fortieth  year  of  his  age;  and  became  a  faithful 
labourer  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  He  fundry 
times  vifited  friends  in  the  adjacent  provinces, 
feveral  of  which  vifits  he  performed  even  in 
old  age;  and  about  the  fixty-ninth  year  of  his 
age  vifited  friends  in  many  parts  of  England  and 
Wales ;  and  fome  years  after,  friends  in  Ire- 
land :  which  vifits  were  acceptable,  as  appeared 
by  feveral  certificates  given  by  friends  amongft 
whom  he  laboured.  He  was  zealous  for  the 
promotion  of  good  order  in  the  church,  and 
often  fervently  engaged  in  our  meetings  for 
difcipline,  to  recommend  friends  to  a  humble 
waiting  for  the  pointings  of  truth,  as  the  alone 
fafe  guide  and  qualifier  for  every  good  word 
and  work. 

He  was  exemplary  himfelf,  and  careful  to 
bring  up  his  family  in  the  pradice  of  attending 
meetings  on  the  firft  and  other  days  of  the 
week  ;  was  zealous  in  promoting,  and  faithful 
in    performing    that    good    work    of    vifiting 

friends 


(  300  ) 
friends  families.  His  miniftry  was  found  and 
edifying,  being  in  the  demonftration  of  the 
fpint  and  power ;  and  he  may  be  faid  to  be  of 
the  number  of  them  that  through  faith  have 
obtained  a  good  report. 

The  kit  year  of  his  life  he  was  prevented 
from  travelhng  far  abroad,   by  reafon  of  a  lin- 
germg  and  painful  diforder  j   but  when  able  to 
attend  his  own  meeting,  he  frequently  appeared 
in  the   mmiftry,  though   under  much   bodily 
infirmity.     And  although  he  was  as  a  fliock  of 
corn  fully  ripe,  gathered  in  its  feafon,  yet  we 
are  fenlible  of  the  lols  the  church  has  furtained 
by  his  removal ;  but  we  trull  it  is  his  everlart- 
Jng  gain,  and  that  he  now  enjoys  the  fruits  of 
his  labours.     His  laft  expreffions  were,  '  Lord 
*  Jefus,  receive  my  foul.' 

He  departed  this  life  the  i6t/j  of  the  fourth 
month,  1775,  and  was  buried  in  friends  bury- 
ing-ground  at  Gofhen,  on  the  \^tb  of  the 
fame,  aged  eighty-one  years,  and  a  rainifter 
about  forty-one  years. 


I 

I 


j1  'Tellh; 


VI 


ejhrnony  from  Nottmgham  Monthly^Meet^ 
g-,     in    Penniy:vania,     concerning    John 
Ch  ur  ch  m  an. 

TIE  was  born  at  Nottingham,  In  Chefter 
County,  Pennfylvania,  the  ^th  of  the 
fixth  month,  1705,  of  religious  parents,  John 
and  Hannah  Churchman ;  and  by  his  own  ac- 
count was  remarkably  reached,  and  made  fen- 
fible  of  the  inward  appearance  of  grace  and 

truth 


(  301  ) 
truth  when  very  young;  but  through  inat- 
tention thereto,  lufFered  lofs.  About  the 
twentieth  year  of  his  age,  through  the  great 
loving-kindnefs  of  a  merciful  God,  the  divine 
vifitation  was  again  renewed,  wherewith  he 
clofing  in  became  fubjeft  to  the  Lord's  hand, 
who  was  about  to  prepare  him  as  a  chofen  in- 
ftrument  for  fervice.  In  his  twenty- fifth  year 
he  married,  and  foon  after  was  recommended 
to  the  ftation  of  an  elder,  wherein  we  find  he 
afted  with  great  caution,  humility,  and  fear, 
and  being  qualified  for  the  fervice  of  vifiting 
families,  was  employed  therein. 

His  firft  appearance  in  publick  miniftry  was 
in  the  year  1733,  and  by  humble  obedience  to 
the  Giver,  he  improved  in  the  gift,  and  be- 
came an  able  minifter  of  the  gofpel ;  in  which 
fervice  he  travelled  much,  having  vifited  the 
meetings  of  friends  in  this  and  feveral  of  the 
adjacent  provinces,  moftly  feveral  times ;  and 
in  the  fummer  1742,  he  performed  a  religious 
vifit  to  friends  in  New-England,  and  in  the 
year  following  to  New- York,  and  parts  adja- 
cent, which  he  repeated  in  1774.  In  the  year 
1750  a  concern  ripened,  which  he  expreffed 
had  for  fome  years  before,  at  times,  refted  with 
weight  on  his  mind,  to  crofs  the  feas  in  the 
fervice  of  the  gofpel,  wherewith  he  had  the 
free  concurrence  of  his  brethren  at  home, 
(being  always  very  careful  in  that  refpedt;) 
and  fpent  upwards  of  four  years  on  a  general 
vifit  to  the  meeting  of  friends  in  England, 
Scotland,  Wales,  Ireland,  and  Holland  ;  and 
alfo  to  the  particular  families  of  friends  within 
the  compafs  of  divers   meetings   in  different 

parts 


(     302     ) 

parts  of  Europe;  and  by  icveral  certificates 
produced  to  our  meeting  after  his  return,  the 
unity  and  fatisfadion  of  friends  in  thofe' Eu- 
ropean countries,  with  his  exemplary  condudl 
and  reh'gious  labours,  were  fully  expreiied. 

Although  he  was  of  a  weakly  conftitution 
and  often  infirm,  efpecially  in  the  latter  part 
of  his  life,  yet  he  appeared  to  be  much  de- 
voted  to  the  fervice  of  truth  and  the  good  of 
mankind,  and  gave  up  his   time  for  that  pur- 
pofe,  when  he  apprehended  it  was   required 
of  him,  being  favoured  with  a  fufficiency  of 
outward  things;  and  we  believe  he  flood  loofe 
from  the  world  and  its  connedions,  not  feek- 
ing,    but    refraining    opportunities   he  miVht 
have  had  to  get  outward  riches.     He   vifited 
neighbouring    yearly,     quarterly,     and    other 
meetings  of  friends  at  times  to  his  laft  year 
and  was  truly  ufeful  in   the  difcipline  of  the 
church,    being   eminently    qualified   for    that 
fervice;  and  was  a  good  example  in  a  diligent 
care    to    attend    all    the    meetings     both    for 
worfliip  and  difcipline  to  which  he  belonged 
cautious  of  being  forward  in  his  publick  ap-' 
pearances,  and  for  the  moft  part  exampled  us 
to  hlence  in  our  meetings  at  home,  efpecially 
in  the  latter  part  of  his  time:  yet  when  he 
did  appear  in   teftimony,  we  think  it  mav  be 
truly  laid,  his  dodrine  dropt  as  the  dew, 'be- 
ing hvely  and  edifying  to  the  honeft-hearted, 
though  dole  and  learching  to  the  carelels  pro- 
ieflors,  as  well  as  to  the  profane  and  hypocri- 
tical.     The  elders  who  have  ruled  well  are  to 
be  accounted  honourable,   fo  the  remembrance 
of    the  fatherly,    diligent,  -humble,    upright, 

honeft. 


(     303     ) 

honeft,  and  felf-denying  example  of  thi5  our 
deceafed  friend,  as  alfo  his  various  fervices  in 
our  meetings  and  neighbourhood  remain  frefi^, 
and  of  a  pleafant  favour  to  many  minds. 

In  his  laft  illnefs,  which  held  him  upwards 
of  three  weeks,  he  appeared  moilly  knfible, 
and  manifefted  much  patience  and  refignation, 
uttering  many  lively  exprelTions  to  thole  at- 
tending him,  and  to  divers  friends  who  came 
to  fee  him ;  fome  of  which  being  taken  down 
in  writing,  are  hereunto  fubjoined,  viz. 


Some  Account  of  the  laji  lllncfs  cf  our  friend 
John  Churchman,  and  cf  divers  of  bis 
iveig/jty  exprejiofisy  jzear  the  c/oje  of  life. 

/^N  the  iith  of  the  fixth  month  1775,  he 
y^  returned  home,  after  performing  his  laft 
journey,  on  a  vifit  to  moft  of  the  meetings  on 
the  Ealtern-Shore  of  Maryland,  and  attending 
the  yearly-meeting  at  Third-Haven  in  Talbot 
county.  On  the  i^th  of  the  fame  month,  he 
went  to  the  week-day  meeting  at  London- 
Grove,  to  meet  with  a  coir.mittee  of  our 
quarterly-meeting  on  particular  bufinefs,  and 
returned  to  our  meeting  at  Nottingham  the  next 
day;  on  the  firft  day  of  the  week  following  was 
there  alio.  In  the  fame  week  he  attended  our 
preparative  and  m.onthly-meetings,  but  a  fever 
daily  increafing  upon  him,  he  was  afterwards 
chiefly  confined  at  home. 

On  the  4//6  of  the   feventh  month   be  ex- 
prefled  himfelf  thus  :   '  I  am  glad  that  I  am  at 

^  huine. 


(    3^4    ) 

*  home,  I  have  ever  found  it  beft  when  my 

*  fervice    abroad  was    over,    to   get  home  as 

*  quick   as  might  be;    and  though  I  have  felt 

*  great  inward  poverty  and  weaknefs  fince  my 

*  laft  journey,  fo  that  I  can  neither  fee  my  be- 

*  ginning  nor  ending,   but  feem  as  if  all  were 

*  hidden;  yet  I  hope,  if  Providence  ihall  fee 

*  meet  to  remove  me  at  this  time,    fome  li^ht 

*  will  appear  again,  and  that  it  will  be  other^ 

*  wife  before  I  go.' 

At  another  time  he  fpake  to  this  purpofe, 

*  1  have  found  myfelf  much  flripped  as  to  a 

*  fenfe  of  good,  and  tried  with  poverty  many 

*  days.     I  fuppofe  I  have  been   accounted   by 

*  fome,  as  one  of  the  better  fort  of  people, 

*  but  have  fecn  great  occafion   to  beware  of  a 

*  difpofition   that  would  feck  to  feed  upon  the 

*  praife  or  commendations  of  others.  A  carnal 

*  feliifh  fpirit  is  very  apt  to  prefent,  and  creep 

*  in  here  if  poflible,    and  I  have  feen  it  hurt 

*  many  who  have  had   right  beginnings  ;    it 

*  always  introduceth  dimnefs,  and  oppreffion 

*  to  the  pure,  precious,  innocent  life  of  truth, 

*  which     only   groweth    up    into    dominion, 

*  through   deep  abafement   of  foul,    and  the 

*  entire  death  of  felf.' 

At  feveral  other  times  he  fignlfied  to  this 
effed:,  *  My  prefent  baptifm  of  afflidlion  hath 

*  tended  to  the  further  refinement  of  my  na- 

*  ture,  and  to  the  bringing  me  more  perfeftly 

*  into  the  image  of  my  Mafter.' 

He  frequently  exprefled  his  full  fubmiflion 
to  the  divine  will  either  refpedlinglife  or  death, 
feveral  times  faying,    *  I  now  experience  my 

'  life 


(     305     ) 

*  life  and  my  will  to  be  flain,  and  I  have  no 
'  will  left.' 

In  the  two  lafl  weeks  of  his  time  it  appeared 
that  hisdefire  and  hope,  mentioned  in  the 
fore  part  of  his  illnefs,  for  light  again  to  ap- 
pear, was  fully  anfwered  by  the  frefh  influence 
thereof:  fo  that  although  his  pain  was  often 
great,  he  would  many  times  in  a  day  break 
forth  into  a  kind  of  melody  with  his  voice, 
without  uttering  words ;  which  as  he  fometimes 
intimated,  was  an  involuntary  afpiration  of  his 
foul  in  praife  to  the  Lord,  who  had  again  been 
pleafed  to  fhine  forth  in  brightnefs  after  many 
days  of  poverty  and  deep  baptifm,  which, 
though  painful,  had  proved  beneficial  to  him, 
being  a  means  of  further  purifying  from  the 
dregs  of  nature ;  faying,  he  was  at  times  afraid 
to  difcover  that  melody  in  the  hearing  of  fome 
that  vifited  him,  left  they  could  not  compre- 
hend 
ftrue  it. 

On  fecond-day  morning  the   ijt/j  of  the 

feventh  month,  being  afked   by  a  friend  how 

he  was,  he  replied,   '  I  am  here  in   the   body 

yet,  and   when  I  go  out  of  it  I  hope  there 

is  nothing  but  peace;'  and  foon  after  further 

aid,     *  I    have  iccn   that  all    the  buftles   and 

noifes  that  are  now  in  the  world  will  end  in 

confufion,  and  our  young  men  that  know  not 

an  eiVablilhment  in  the  truth,  and  the  Lord's 

fear  for  a  ballall:,   will  be  caught  in  a  trying 

moment.'     At  another  time  he  faid,   '  iVeel 

nothing  but  peace,  having  endeavoured   ho- 

neftly  to   diicharge   mylelf   in  publick,   and 

privately  to  individuals  as  I  apprehended  was 

X  *  required; 


Its  meanm^,  and  might  therefore  mifcon- 


(    3o6    ) 

*  required ;  and  if  it  be  the  Lord's  will  that  I 
'  fliould  go  now,  I  fliall  be  releafed  from  a 
'  great  deal  of  trouble  and  exercife,  which  I 
'  believe  friends,  who  are  left  behind,  will  have 

*  to  pafs  through.' 

On  the  2otb  of  the  fame  month  he  thus  ex- 
preffed  himfelf,  *  I  love  friends  who  abide  in 
'  the  truth  as  much  as  ever  I  did,  and  I  feel 
'  earneft  breathings  to  the  Lord,  that  there  be 

*  fuch  raifed  up  in  the  church,  who  may  go 
'  forth  m  humility,  fweetnefs,  and  life,  clear 
'  of  all  fuperfluity  in  expreffions  and  otherwife, 

*  ftandmg  for  the  teftimony,  that  they  may  be 
'  ufeful  to  the  church  in  thefe  difficult  times/ 

About  three  days  before  his  death,  feveral 
friends  being  in  his  room,  he  fpake  as  follows  - 
"  Friends  in  the  beginning,  if  they  had  health 

*  and    liberty,  were  not  eafily  diverted  from 

*  paying  their  tribute  of  worfhip  to  the  Al- 
^  mighty  on  week-days  as  well  as  firft-days; 

*  but  after  a  while,  when  outward  fufferinc^s 
'  ceafed,  life  and  zeal  decaying,  eafe  and  the 
^  Ipirit  of  the  world  took  place  with  many. 

*  And  thus  it  became  cuftomary  for  one  or  two 

*  out  of  a  family  to  attend  meetings,  and  to 

*  leave  their  children  much  at  home;  parents 
alfo  if  worldly  concerns  were  in  the  way, 
could  negleca  their  week-day  meetings  fome- 
times,  yet  be  willing  to  hold  the  name,  and 
p  ead  excufe  becaufe  of  a  bufy  time,  or  the 
like.  But  I  believe  that  fuch  a  departure  from 

^  primitive  integrity  ever  did,  and  ever  will 
occafion  a  withering  from  the  life  of  true 

*  religion.' 

To 


A 


(    3^7    ) 
To  a  friend  who  came  to  vifit  him  on  the 
2iji  of  the  feventh  month  he  faid,  *  I  feel  that 

*  which   lives   beyond   death   and   the   grave, 

*  which  is  now  an  inexpreffible  comfort  to  me 

*  after  a  time  of  deep  baptifm  that  I  have  paf- 

*  fed  through  ;  I  believe  my  being  continued 

*  here  is  in  the  will  of  Providence,  and  I  am 

*  fully  refigned.' 

His  illnefs  increafing,  he  faid  but  little  on 
fcvcnth-day  the  22^/;  in  the  afternoon  he  was 
very  low,  and  fpeechlefs  aboiit  twelve  hours  5 
early  on  firft-day  morning  he  recruited  a  little, 
and  gave  direftions  about  his  coffin  to  a  friend 
who  fat  up  with  him,  being  a  joiner.  Conti- 
nuing rather  eafier  the  fore  part  of  that  day,  and 
appearing  cheerful,  he  expreffed  divers  weighty 
fcntences  like  farewell  exhortations  to  fome 
who  came  to  fee  him.  On  fecond-day  morning 
he  fit  up  a  confiderable  time,  in  the  afternoon 
he  appeared  lively  and  fenfible,  though  very 
weak,  thus  expreffing  himfelf,   *  I  am  much 

*  refrefhed  with  my  Mafter*s  fweet  air,  I  feel 

*  more  life>  more  light,  more  love  and  fweet- 

*  w^k  than  ever  before/  and  often  mentioned 
the  divine  refrefhment  and  comfort  he  felt 
flowing  like  a  pure  ftream  to  his  inward  man, 
faying  to  thofe  who  were  with  him,  *  I  may 
'  tell  you  of  it,  but  you  cannot  feel  it  as  I  do/ 

In  the  evening  a  young  perfon  coming  into 
the  room,  looking  at  her  earneftly  and  affec- 
tionately, he  faid,   *  Deborah  arofe  a  mother  in 

*  Ifrael  /    and  fhortly  after,    *  The  fweetnefs 

*  that  I  feel  :'  then  his  difficulty  of  breathing 
increafcd,  and  being  turned  once  or  twice,  he 
requeued  to  be  helped  up,  and  was  placed  in 

X  2  his 


'(    .308   -) 

.Jiis  chair,  in  which  he  expired  about  the  nrnfh 
hour  on  fecond-day  night  the  24.t&  of  the  fe- 
venth  month,  1775,  being  aged  near  leventv, 
and  a  minifter  about  42  years,  and  was  buried 
on  the  26t/j  in  friends  grave-yard  at  Eaft-Not- 
tingham,  a  large  concourfe  of  people  attend- 
ing,  after  which  a  folemn  meeting  was  held. 


ATeJlimony  from  New- Garden  Monthly-Meet- 
ing in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  Sarah 
M  I  L  H  o  u  s  f.. 

SHE  was  religioufly  inclined  from  her  youth, 
and  when  married  was  a  good  example  in 
her  family  as  a  wife  and  a  parent,  of  an  inof- 
fenfive  life  and  converfation,  and  a  diligent 
atteoder  of  religious  meetings,  until  prevented 
by  age  and  bodily  infirmity.  Her  appearances 
as  a  minifter  were  not  frequent,  but  favoury, 
and  in  few  expreffions. 

In  her  laft  illnefs  flie  feemed  refigned  either 
to  live  or  die,  and  by  her  fenfible  expreffions 
and  good  advice  to  her  children  and  others,  ihe 
appeared  in  a  living  humble  frame  of  mind, 
and  fignified,  *  She  did  not  fee  any  thine  in 

*  her  way/ 

.She  quietly  departed  this  life  the  zbtb  of  the 
eighth  month,  1775,  aged  about  fcvcnty-four 
years  i.  and  on  the  2jtb  was  interred  in  friends 
burying-ground  at  New-Garden. 

Aiter  her  deceafe,  was  found,  wrote  with 
her  own    hand,  as    follows  :    *  Oh  !   that  my 

•  children  would  walk  in  the  truth,  the  pure, 

*  inward. 


'I 


(     309     ) 
«  inward,  everlafting  truth,  which  is  Chrlil, 
'  Seek  unto  him  in  fecret  and  great  humility," 

*  who  alone  can  preferve  you  in  every  trying 

*  time  which  muft  be  met  with  in  this  life, 

*  that  we  may  be  prepared  for  that  life  which 

*  is  everlafting;     feek  it    before    any  earthly 
'  treafure.' 


A  Teftimony  from  Gwynedd  Monthly-Meeting 
in  Pennfylvania,    concerning   William 

Fo  U  L  K  E. 

jLIE  was  born  of  religious  parents,  early  fet- 
tiers  of  Gwynedd,  from  whom  he  received 
a  pious   education,  to  which,  with  the  vifita- 
tion  of  divine  grace,  he  fo  far  attended  from 
early  youth,  that  in  the  feveral  charaders  of 
huftand,  father,  mafter,  and  neighbour,  with 
his  hofpitality  and  charitable  difpofition  to  the 
poor,  he  was   much   endeared   to  his  family, 
iriends,  and  neighbours.     Being  a  man  of  in- 
tegrity, and  a  lover  of  peace,  he  endeavoured  to 
promote  it  in  others,  and  was  remarkably  en- 
dued with  a  happy  talent  for  compofing  differ- 
ences, and  reclaiming  of  offenders,  in  which  fer- 
vices  he  was  much  cxercifed. 

In  the  ftations  of  an  elder  and  overfeer,  which 
he  filled  for  a  number  of  years,  he  vyas  exem- 
plary and  ferviceable.  His  health' gradually 
declined  for  feveral  months ;  and  though  his 
diforder  proved  lingering,  he  was  enabled  to 
bear  it  with  rcfignation  and  patienc:,  expref- 

X  3  fing 


t 


(     2^0    ) 

iing  the  expedation  of  his  change  with  calm- 
nefs. 

The  day  before  his  deceafe,  a  friend  who  vi^ 
fited  him,  mentioned  what  a  comfortable  re- 
fledlion  it  muft  be  to  him,  when  drawing  near 
tp  the  clofe  of  life,  that  he  had  filled  up  the 
ftation  allotted  him  in  a  good  degree  of  faith- 
fulnefs  ;  he   replied,  *  I   have  no  fight  when 

*  my  change  may  be,  I  endeavour  to  be  re- 

*  figned.     I  have  not  any  thing  to  boaft  of,  I 

*  have  not  any  thing  to  exped:  from  any  works 

*  I  have  done,  it  was   but  little  ;  but  I  have 

*  experienced  that   the  Lord    is    merciful,  in 
'  whom  I  truft,  having  redeemed  my  foul  from 

*  deftruftion.     I  much  defire  to  be  within  the 

*  pale  of  happinefs,  fomewhere  within  the  door 

*  where  I  may  find  a  quiet  habitation.' 

He  continued  fenfible  to  the  laft,  and  depart- 
ed this  life,  on  the  30//^  of  the  eighth  month, 
1775,  in  the  fixty-feventh  year  of  his  age,  and 
on  the  17?  of  the  ninth  month  was  interred  ia 
friends  burying-ground  at  Gwynedd, 


4  Tejliviony  frorn  the  Monthly-Meeting  of  Phi- 
ladelphia,  concerning  Sarah  Morris. 

SHE  was  born  in  this  city,  being  the  daugh- 
ter of  our  ancient  friends  Anthony  and 
Elizabeth  Morris,  who  were  careful  to  inftrudl 
her  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  a  diligent  atten- 
dance of  our  religious  meetings,  and  an  early 
^pquaintance  with  the  Holy  Scriptures  j  the  ad- 
vantage whereof  Ihe  at  times  exprefled  to  be  a 

great 


I 


(     311     ) 

great  comfort   to  herfelf,    and   of  benefit  to 
others.     Her  father  died  when  fhe  was  about 
feventeen  years  of  age,  and  near  his  end  gave 
this  teftimony  refpeding  her,  '  That  fhe  had 
•  never  difobeyed  him,  and  was  his  comfort/ 
which  we  infert  with  defires  it  may  may  fo  im- 
prefs  the  minds  of  youth,  that   by  duly  re- 
garding the  divine  command  of  obedience  ta 
parents,  they  may  be  their  comfort,  merit  the 
like  teftimony,  and  fecure  peace  to  their  own 
minds.     She  was  endued  with  underftandino- 
fuperior  to  many,  which,  with  her  fociablet 
agreeable  difpofition,  occafioned  her  converfa- 
tion  in  the  younger  part  of  her  life  to  be  fought, 
and  acceptable  to  fuch  who  were  accounted  wife 
in  the  eftimation  of  the  worlds  but  from  her 
religious  inclination  preferring  the  company  of 
thofc  who  exceeded  her  in  age  and  experience, 
fhe  was  mercifully  preferved  from  the  fnares  and 
temptations  to  levity  and  vanity,  by  which  many 
of  the  youth  are  too  readily  captivated. 

The  flate  of  mind  and  religious  exercife  fhe 
was  brought  under,  through  the  early  vifita- 
tions  of  divine  grace,  being  fenfibly  exprefled 
m  a  fhort  account  written  by  herfelf,  we  think 
worthy  to  be  preferved,  diredted  as  follows: 

*  To  all  to  whofe  hands  this  may  come,  be 

*  it  known. 

That  I,  having  been  one  who  was  born  of 

*  religious  parents,  was  by  that  means  favoured 
I  with  a  fober  and  virtuous  education ;  but  what 

was   far   beyond  all  outward  bleflings,    the 

*  Lord  in  his  mercy  was  pleafed  to  make  very 
I  early  impreflions  of  religion  on  my  foul,  by 
'  his  immediate  grace  and  good  fpirit,    and 

X  4  *  made 


(      312      ) 

made  me  fenfible  of  the  touches  of  divine 
Jove   when  very  young,  and   at  times  thefe 
merciful  vilitations  were  continued  from  my 
very  infancy  (and  through  every  part  of  life) 
by  which  I  was  in  a  good   degree   preferved 
from  the  evils   and  vanities  of  the  world  ; 
and  not  only  fo,  but  comforted  and  fupported 
in  every  time  of  trouble  and  difficulty,  as 
there  was  a  fecret  regard  to  that  good  hand, 
which  is,  and  ever  will  be,   the  help  of  all 
thofe  who  put  their  truft  in  it.     But  though 
the    Lord  had    fo  favoured  me,  that  I  was 
made  capable  of  being  in  fome  refpeds  fer- 
viceable  amongft  my  acquaintance  and  friends, 
from  a  propenfity  in  my   natural  difpofition 
(which  is  Jikewife  a  bleffing  from  Heaven) 
to  affift   or  oblige  thofe  with  whom  I  con- 
verfed ;  yet  after  it  pleafed  God,  by  the  death 
of  a  filler  whom  I  entirely  loved,  to  give  me 
a  frefli  inftance  of  the  uncertainty  and  unfa- 
tisfaclorinefs  of  all  temporal   bleflings.     He 
was  pleafed  to  ftrengthen  my  defires  after  the 
enjoyment  of  that  which  is  eternal,  and  fadeth 
not  away  ;  and  ftrong  cries  were  raifed  in  my 
foul,   that  I  might  be  brought  to  a  nearer 
acquaintance,    and  a  more  conflant  abiding 
with  him  who  is  the  beloved  of  fouls,  and 
who,   by  the   fecret  touches  of  divine  good- 
ncfs,    had  railed    fuch  a  hunger   and    thirft 
after  righteoufnefs,  that  my  foul  could  not 
be  fatisfied  fliort  of  it  :   I   lav,  after  it  had 
pleafed  God   thus  to    incline   my    mind    to 
feek  after  a  more  full  enjoyment  of  that  in- 
ward life  and  virtue  wliich  is  communicated 
and  conveyed  to   the   foul   through   the  il- 

*  luminatioa 


(     3^3     ) 

lumination  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  I  was  vlfited 
with  ficknefs,  in  which  I  had  fo  near  a  pro- 
fpe(fl  of  eternity,  that  I  feemed  juft  entering 
into  it.  O  !  then  the  emptinefs  and  vanity 
of  all  the  world ;  the  pleafures  and  friend- 
fhips  of  it  appeared  in  a  clear  and  ftrong 
light ;  nothing  then  but  the  hope  of  an  en- 
trance into  the  kingdom  of  Heaven  feemed 
of  any  value,  and  that  hope  the  Lord  was  at 
that  time  pleafed  in  fome  degree  to  afford 
me;  but  yet  I  thought  I  faw  a  great  defi- 
ciency, and  was  made  to  defire  of  the  Lord, 
that  if  it  was  his  will  to  reflore  me,  he  might 
enable  me  to  live  more  clofe  to  his  teachings, 
and  follow  him  more  fully  than  I  had  hither- 
to done;  but  in  order  to  this,  a  work  of 
greater  mortification  than  ever  had  been  ex- 
perienced by  me,  was  necclTary.  Great  dif- 
trefs  of  foul,  and  afHicVion  of  body  was  I 
brought  into,  infomuch  that  I  knew  not 
where,  or  what  I  was ;  fuch  temptations  and 
buftetings  of  Satan  that  I  had  till  now  been  a 
ftranger  to,  were  fuffered  to  befet  me,  in  the 
abfence  of  fpiritual  comfort  and  refrefiiment; 
yet  in  all  tl^jj^  the  Lord  was  very  merciful, 
and  let  me  fee  that  his  dealings  with  my  foul 
were  in  order  to  qualify  and  fit  for  fome 
further  fervice.  O!  then  the  folemn  engage- 
ments my  foul  was  willing  to  enter  into  at 
this  Bethel !  If  thou,  O  Lord  !  will  be  with 
me  in  the  way  that  I  go,  and  give  me  bread 
to  eat,  and  raiment  to  put  on,  in  a  fpiritual 
fcnfe,  and  bring  me  to  my  heavenly  Father's 
houle  in  peace,  thou  flialt  be  my  God,  and 
I  will  ferve  thee  !  And  the  Lord,  who  knew 

'  the 


c 

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4 

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(  314  ) 

the  tendernefs  of  my  heart  at  that  time,  (for 
it  was  his  own  work)  was  pleafed  gracioufly 
to  fhower  down  of  the  heavenly  rain  of  his 
kingdom,    by   which    my  foul   was  greatly 
comforted  and  refreihed  in  his  prefence;  and 
in  a  true  fight  and  fenfe  of  my  own  nothing- 
nefs  and  inability  to  do  any  thing  that  wks 
acceptable  in  the  fight  of  God  without  his 
aflutance,  was  my  fpirit  greatly  humbled  be- 
fore  him,  and  a  refignation  wrought  in  my 
will  to  be  given  up  in  all  things  to  him,  who 
had  thus  enabled  my  foul  to  praife  his  name 
upon   the  banks   of  deliverance  from  great 
and  fore  conflicfls  and  troubles,  which  were 
unknown    to    any    in   that  day.     For    then 
was  the  Lord  my  refuge  and  fure  hiding, 
place,    and  under  the  fhadow  of  his  wino- 
was  I  kept,  and  in   the  fweet  enjoyment  of 
divme  love,  light,  and    life,    at  times   was 
made  to  fiy,  furely  nothing  Ihall  be  able  to 
make  a  feparation  from  the  love  of  God  in 
Chrift  Jefus.  But  alas  !  this  lafted  not  long; 
for  when  it  was  clearly  fhewn  me  what  was 
required  of  my  hands,  which  w^as  to  bear  a 
public  tertimony  for  God,  and  to  declare  un- 
to  others  what  he  had  done  for  my  foul,  then 
confultations   with    fledi    and    blood   began, 
though  the  merciful  vifitations  of  love  were 
long  continued  unto  me;  yet  doubts,  fears, 
and  reafonings  increafed,  fo  that  great  dark- 
nefs  and  diftrefs  came  upon  me,  nor  could  I 
now  apply  with  that  confidence  and  truft  as 
formerly,  to  him  alone  who  can   help,  but 
began  to  difclofe  fomething  of  my  condition 
to  others ;  from  which  time  I   was  fenfible 

*  that 


(     31S     ) 

that  my  ftrength  decreafed.    Yet  all  this  while 
I  was  willing  to  hope  that  a  frefli  vifitation 
might  be  fonie  time  afforded,  for  without  it, 
I  faw  my  ftate  very  dangerous.    What  would 
I  not  then  have  done  to  have  recovered  my 
former  condition  ?  I  went   under  great  dif- 
trefs  and  perplexity  day  and  night  for  fome 
months ;   the  comfortable  refrefliments  and 
divine  openings  with  which  I  had  been  io 
plentifully  favoured  were  withdrawn,  and  I 
left  in  unfpeakable  anguifli  and  diftrefs.    Un- 
der this  fenfe  of  terror  I  cried  to  the  Lord  to 
(liew  me  his  will,  and  enable  me  to  perform 
it ;  but  the  fenfe  of  his  love  was  fo  far  with- 
drawn, and  fears  and  doubts  had  fo  prevailed, 
that  I  began  to  queltion  every  thing,  and  by 
degrees  the  unwearied  adverfary  hath  fo  pre- 
vailed, or  it  is  fo  fuftered  for  ends  1  know 
not,  that  I  am  at  this  time,  according  to  my 
weak  apprehenfion,  left  very  much  to  myfelf, 
without  the  fenfation  of  divine  love  upon  my 
foul,  or  the  ability  to  feek  after  it,  or  rightly 
to  wait  for  it,  or  to  ftir  or  move  any  way  as 
to   my  foul ;  but,  in   a  ftupidity  not  to   be 
defcribed,  itript  of  all  inward  comfort,  and 
not  able  to  take  pleafure  in  any  thing  this 
world  can  afford.* 
Being,  through  the  mercy  of  the  Lord,  pre- 
ferved   under  this  clofe  probation,  and,   in  his 
time,   gracioufly  relieved    by    the    quickening 
virtue  of  his  divine  prefence  and  power,   (he, 
in  great  abafement   and  humiliation,   became 
refigned  to  his  holy  requirings,  and  appeared 
in    public   teftimony  in  one  of  our   religious 
meetings.     Being  thus   brought  forth  in  the 

miniilry. 


1 


k 


miniftry    through   great  mortification  of  her 
own   will,  her   appearance  was  much  to  the 
comfort  and   fatisfadion  of  friends,   it   bein^ 
evident  to  the  fenfible  and  judicious  member! 
of  the  church,  that  Ihe  was  rightly  called  to 
this   weighty  work;    and  divers  nearly  fym- 
pathiz.ng   with    her.    were  fpiritual    helpers 
watching  over  her  in  much  love  and  tender: 
nels.   And  through  faithfulnefs  to  her  gift  L 
mcrcaled  in  knowledge  and  experience,  id  be- 
came  an  able  gofpel  minifter,   being  found  in 

..?H  Kl"'-  P""""'"'  '"  «hortation.%lear  and 
audible  in  utterance,  and  careful  to  adorn  the 
dodlrine  fhe  preached  by  a  pious  exempl  'y 
iile  and  converfation.  ^    ^ 

Her  firfj  journey  in  the  fervice  of  truth  was 
tofoine  adjacent  meetings  as  companion  to  our 
valuable  fnend  Margaret  Ellis /being  aC 
wards,  through  the  efficacy  of  divin"  love 
drawn  forth  to  vifu  many  of  the  meetings  in 
thi.  provmce  New-Jerfey,  and  the  yearly, 
meenngs  m  Maryland  and  Long-IOand  ,  and 
la  the  year  1764,  in  company  with  our  friends 

that  at  Rhode-Ifland  ;  though  her  religious 
labours  were  chiefly  in  this  c^ity,  manifei  ing 
among  us  a  fteady  uniform  concern  for  the 
caule  of  triuh,  and  prefervation  of  true  Chrif, 
tian  fellowiliip,  not  only  in  the  exercife  of  her 
gitt  m  the  publick  miniftrv,  wherein  Hie  was 
emmently  favoured,  but  alib  of  our  Chriftiaa 
difciphne  among  friends  of  her  own  fex,  for 
which  ihe  was  well  qualified,  and  of  real  ufe. 

tvhn         J       ^"'"''^'^  "^^  ^''  ^"^^'^"^   "pother, 
^vho,  m  themnety.tourthyearofherage,  de-! 

parted 


(     317     ) 

parted  in  a  calm  and  peaceful  ftate  of  mind,  to- 
ward whom  fhe  had  manifefted  a  filial  affedion 
and  care,  an  exercife  which  fhe  had  many  years 
been  under  to  vifit   friends  in    Great   Britain 
now  reviving,    the   weight  of  the   fervice,  and 
her  apprehenfion  of  being  difqualified  therefor, 
aifeded  her  fo  deeply,  that  (lie  was  reduced  to 
fuch  a  low  ftate  of  mind  and  body,  her  recovery 
appeared  doubtful.    But  after  a  diftrelling  fea- 
fon  of  conflia,  fhe  was  favoured  with  ftrencrth 
to  communicate  her  concern  to  this  meeting, 
and  obtaining  a  certificate  of  the   near  fym- 
pathy  and  concurrence  of  friends,   fhe  was  left 
to  proceed,  with  their  free  approbation,  as  the 
Lord  might  be  pleafed  to  furnifli  ability;  and 
her  affedtionate  niece  Deborah   Morris's' offer 
to  accompany  her,  being  alfo  concurred  with, 
they  embarked  for  London,  in  the  third  month 
1772,  where  being  arrived,  though  continuing 
m   a  weak  ilate  of  health,  Ihe  was  enabled  to 
perform  her   vifit   to   friends   in  moft  of  the 
principal   counties  and  towns  from  Exeter  ia 
the  wefl  as  far  north  as  Cum.berland,  and  thofe 
called    the  Eaflern    Counties;    attendino-    two 
yearly-rneetings  in  London,  and  divers^gene- 
ral^  meetings  in  other  parts  of  the  nation.    And 
being  favoured  with  flrength  beyond  expeda- 
tion,  and  with  that  wifdom  which  truth  ^ives 
to  thofe  who  faithfully  rcfign  to  its  hoi)?  re- 
quirings,  fhe  difcharged  her  religious  duty  to  the 
edification  of  the  churches,  and  her  own  peace; 
returning  home  in  the  ninth  month   177^    ac' 
companied    by  her   faid   niece,  who  had   been 
truly   helpful   to   her,   and   three  friends  from 
Oreat  Britain  on  a  religious  viiit.     Her  having 

beea 


(    3i8    ) 

been  thus  mercifully  fuftained  through  this 
weighty  fervice,  and  under  fuch  apparent  in- 
firmity, advanced  to  the  feventieth  year  of  her 
age,  was  both  matter  of  comfort,  and  occafiott 
of  grateful  admiration  to  friends. 

Having,  foon  after  her  return,  attended  the 
general  meeting  at  Shrewlbury,  the  quarterly- 
meeting  of  Bucks,  and  fome  other  meetings, 
fhe  united  that  winter  with  our  valuable 
friends,  M.  Leaver  and  E.  Robinfon,  from 
Great  Britain,  in  vifiting  many  of  the  families 
of  friends  in  this  city,  being  eminently  fa- 
voured with  divine  help  therein,  as  flie  had 
been  at  times  before  in  the  like  fervice. 

In  the  fifth  month  1774,  Ihe  vifited  friends 
at  New- York  and  Long-Illand,  attending  the 
yearly-meeting  there,  and  divers  others ;  and 
in  the  fame  fummer  and  fall,  vifited  fome  meet- 
ings in  New-Jerfey  and  this  province,  befides 
diligently  attending  thofe  in  this  city  as  flie 
was  enabled,  being  favoured  in  molt  of  them 
with  a  lively  edifying  teftimony. 

For  about  fix  months  before  her  departure, 
a  dropfical  diforder  fubjeded  her  to  great  bodi- 
ly weaknefs;  yet  her  love  to  God,  his  truth, 
and  people,  was  fo  prevalent,  that  when  unable 
to  walk  to  a  meeting,  flie  was  divers  times  car- 
ried to  her  feat.  One  of  the  laft  fhe  attended 
in  publick,  was  on  the  ^th  of  the  fixth  month 
1775,  to  which  flie  was  with  great  difficulty 
brought,  and  was  enabled  to  bear  a  lively  tefti- 
mony;  affedionately  expreffing  her  great  con- 
cern for  the  welfare  of  the  people,  that  they 
might  be  gathered  to  God,  and  mentioning 
the  paflage  of  our  blelled  Saviour  weeping  over 

Jerufalem, 


(     319     ) 

Jerufalem,  tenderly  exhorting  the  rifing  youfh 
to  embrace  the  call  of  the  Lord,  fubmit  to  his 
teaching,  and  thereby  experience  prefervation. 
During  her  illnefs,  flie  had  to  endure  great 
bodily  pain,  and  at  times,  depreflion  of  fpirit ; 
yet  was  at  feafons  much  favoured,  and  uttered 
many   comfortable   and    edifying    expreflions, 
fome  of  which  being  noted  down,  are  as  fol- 
lows, viz.  fixth  month  1775.     On  hearing  the 
found  of  a  drum  pafling,  it  being  a  time  of 
great  commotion,  flie  faid.  Oh,  it  is  the  fpirit 
*  of  Chrift  that  is  the  Chrifl:ian's  glory  and 
fl:rength  !  It  makes  us  humble,    meek,  and 
wife,  it  is   this   teacher  that  cannot  be  re- 
moved;  a  guide   into    that   righteous  way, 
which,  if  but  lived  in,  would  have  kept  ofF 
this  impending  fl:orm.     O!  that  they  would 
even  now  but  humbly  feek  to  learn  the  Chrif- 
tian  warfare,    and  be   earneftly  engaged   to 
fight  under  the   banner  of  Chrift,  to  know 
their  own  hearts  lufts  totally  fubdued.'     At 
another  time  being  in  great  pain,  flie  cried  out, 
'  O  fweet  Lord  Jefus,  that  thou  wouldft  be 
pleafed  to  give  me  a  little  eafe,  who  am  an 
unworthy    creature,   undeferving    thy  fweet 
prefence.     But  thou  art  merciful,  and  thou, 

0  Lord !  knoweft  that  nothing  lefs  can  eafe 
and  comfort  me;  thy  living  prefence  is  all 

1  want.'  And  after  the  favour  was  granted, 
which  for  an  hour  flie  enjoyed,  flie  faid,  *  Oh ! 
•  how  good  is  my  God,  thus  to  hear  my  feeble 

cry;  O  how  fweet  is  this  eafe»  All  my  pains 
are  eafed  by  one  fecret  look  from  thee;  O! 
that  I  could  be  thankful  enough  for  this  fa- 
vour;  this  fweet  though  fliort  quiet,  which 


wc 


(     320     ) 

we  cannot  get  at  but  when  thou,  O  Father! 
pleafert.     O  !  that  the  people  would  but  be- 
lieve, that  in  thy  peace  their  ftrength  con- 
fifts;    and  that  they   would  more  generally 
feek  to  know  it  before  it  was  too  late.    But  too 
many  are  contented  without  witneffing  the 
frequent  renewings  of  divine  love,  in  which 
only  there  is  life,  if  they  are  but  preferved 
from  grofs  evils,  and  go  on  in  profperity,  they 
fit  down  eafy,  and  think  all  is  well.    But  O! 
that  they  may  not  too  late  find  their  miflake, 
and  that  they  have  pleafed  themfelves  with 
favours   which  they   have  unthankfully   re- 
ceived, and  fo  flopt  Ihort  of  greater,  by  not 
defiring  them,  and  more  frequently  than  the 
day,   waiting  to  know  the  renewings  of  that 
life;  without  which  there  is  no  life  to  the 
truly  begotten  children,  and   which   would 
fliew  them,  not  only  what  they  ought  to  do, 
but  would  give  them  ftrength  to  do  it. 
Seventh  month  id-,  in  a  quiet  fitting  of  fomc 
friends  in  her  room,  ihe  faid  in  fubftance,  *  If 
«  I  may  take  the  freedom  to  exprefs  my  ex- 

*  periences    of    the   Lord's    gracious    dealings 

*  with  me,  when  in  a  land  of  darknefs  and 
'  drought,  where  no  water  is;  a  land  of  pits 

*  and  deferts,   befet  as  with  noxious  creatures, 

*  and  amongil  ferpents    and   fcorpions,  from 

*  whence  none  could  deliver,  but  he  who  can 

*  open  and  none  can  fliut.    I  have  feen  the  ne- 

*  celTity,  after  having  done  the  will  of  God, 

*  to  wait  with  patience  to  receive  the  promife 

*  of  him  who  is  the  fame  to-day  as  yeflerday, 
'  and  will  fo  continue  for  ever.  Many  are  the 
'  comfortable  aliurances  in  holy  writ  to  thofe 

*  who 


(     321     ) 

who  keep  the  word  of  his  patience;  *'  I  will 
•  keep  fuch  in  the  hour  of  temptation,  which 
'  fhall  come  upon  all  the  earth,  to  try  them 
'  that  dwell  therein.''    I  have  many  times,  my 
dear,  may  I  not  fay  my  beloved  friends,  for 
fo  at  feafons  you  have  been  to  me,  though  at 
other  times  I  hardly  dare  fay  fo  ^  I  have  many 
times    been  glad  to  feel  a  little  opening  of 
ftrength  with  my  friends,  and  may  fay,  I  am 
thankful  for  this  quiet  folemn  opportunity, 
for  great  have  been  and   ftill  are  my  trials, 
and  clofe   may  be  your  provings.    I  do  not 
fpeak  it  to  difcourage  any,  but  I  find  without 
the  renewings  of  divine  love  and  life,  we  are 
incapable   of  keeping   the  word  of  his   pa- 
tience;    being  fo  frequently   befet   and  fur- 
rounded  with  weaknefs  and  infirmities.    O! 
may  you,   my  dear  friends,   who  have   been 
called  and  anointed   for  fervices,   witnefs  a 
renewed   fupply  of  holy  oil,  whereby  your 
lamps  may  be  kept  burning,  and  your  lights 
ftiining;  and  experience  the  law  to  go  forth 
from  Zion,   and  the  word  of  the  Lord  from 
Jerufalem,   and   remember    your    covenants 
made  in  the  day  of  deep  diftrefs.     May  you 
be  fupported  through  every  future  difficulty 
and  trial,  and  I  through  the  prefent  conflidl; 
that  when  every  pool  and  channel  of  comfort 
ftiall  be  dried  up,  and  all  human  help  found 
unavailing,  we  may  witnefs  him  to  be  near, 
who  hath  promifed,  for  the  cry  of  the  poor 
and   for  the  fighing  of  the  needy  he  would 
arife.    Therefore,  cry  mightily  to  him,  that 
we  may  know  him   to  do  fo  for  us;  for  I 
find,   without  fenfibly  feeling  the  drawing 

Y  ♦  cords 


(     322     ) 

cords  of  his  love,  which  opens  and  enlarges 
the  heart,  we  cannot  apply  thofe  gracious 
promifes  to  our  comfort:  and  when  he  draws, 
let  not  the  cares  of  this  life,  nor  flavifh  and 
unneceflary  fears,  prevent  your  following  him 
faithfully,  whatever  afflictions  may  attend.  O! 
may  we  be  fo  prefcrved  in  his  holy  hand,  as 
that  nothing  may  be  fuffered  to  pluck  us  out 
of  it,  and  fo  affifted  to  conduct,  as  to  be 
found  among  that  happy  number  who  have 
come  through  many  tribulations,  where  all 
forrows  and  fighing  will  be  done  away,  and 
all  tears  wiped  from  our  eyes,  to  join  thofe 
who  can  acceptably  hng  the  fong  of  praifc, 
having  had  their  robes  waflied  in  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb,  and  made  white.*  And  on  the 
d,  though  with  fome  difficulty  of  utterance, 
aid,  *  Though  the  floods  beat  high  at  times, 
and  the  waves  roared,  llie  was  then  fenfible 
of  the  divine  love  being  prefent,  and  in  that 
love  filuted  her  friends,  as  (lie  hoped  each 
one  there  had,  in  a  greater  or  leiler  degree, 
known  the  fandifying  power  of  religion  on 
their  minds.  She  very  earneilly  and  affection- 
ately urged  them  to  a  more  clofe  and  folemn 
attention  to  this  important  work,  not  to  rcll 
latisfied  ihort  of  witncifing  daily  advancing 
forward  on  the  way;  that  when  this  earthly 
tabernacle  was  dilfolved,  we  mirlit  have  a 
well-grounded  hope  of  a  houfe  eternal  in 
the  Heavens,  whofe  maker  and  builder  was 
God.  That  our  blcfled  Saviour  had  told  his 
immediate  followers,  in  his  Father's  houfe 
were  many  manfions,  and  that  he  went  to 
prepare  a  place  for  them,  that  where  he  was 

*  they 


(  Z^2>  ) 
they  might  be  alfo.  And  that  though  the 
fenfible  enjoyment  of  divine  love  was  much 
withdrawn  from  many  who  had  formerly 
been  eminently  flivoured  with  its  living  in- 
fluence; yet  not  to  be  difcouraged,  as  living 
faith  in  Chrill:  Jefus  (though  but  in  a  fmall 
degree)  was  abundantly  fufficient  for  our 
ftrength  and  fafety ;  and  as  his  divine  love 
flill  continued  with  thofe  who  are  far  ad- 
vanced, and  as  on  the  verge  of  time,  it  would 
alfo  be  the  guide  and  blelfed  guardian  of  the 
younger  in  years,  as  they  humbly  and  fleadi- 
ly  kept  upon  their  watch,  and  paid  a  due  obe- 
dience to  the  divine  inflirudions  of  his  Holv 
Spirit.'  ^ 

The  laft  night  of  her  life,  being  in  bodily 
pain,  and  under  fome  difcouragement  of  mind, 
fhe  was  reminded  of  fome  late  favours  of  divine 
love  extended  to  her.  After  laying  fome  time  in 
awful  fllence,  fhe  replied,  '  Now  I  fee  it  to  my 
'  comfort,   that  the  Lord  hath  been  with  me 

*  through  all  this  illnefs,  and  I,  at  times,  knew 
'  It  not;  fuch  was  my  diltrefled  fituation,  it  was 

*  hard  for  me  to  believe  it.*  Afterwards  hU 
ling  into  a  fweet  fleep,  {lie  in  about  two  hours 
awaked  much  refreilied,  and  remarked,  flie  had 
not  flept  fo  fwectly  in  all  her  illnefs,  for  fhe 
had  been  in  company  with  her  f^uher's  God, 
mother's  God,  and  her  God  ;  afked  her  niece 
(Deborah  Morris)  who  had  with  abundant  care 
attended  on  her,  if  flie  thought  life  would  hold 
all  night,  whoanfvvering,  (h^  thought  it  might, 
as  the  night  was  far  fpent,  ih^  defired  her  faid 
niece  would  fit  by  her  until  the  Lord  came, 
(meaning  to  dole  her  life)   then  iluinbered  a- 

V  2  gain. 


I 
i 


(     324     ) 

gain,  and  awakening,   admired,  faying,   *  It  is 

*  ftrange  I  fliould  fleep  at  fuch  a  time  as  this/ 
Being  told  her  work  was  done,  and  it  was  a 
favour  to  her  flie  could  fleep,  fhe  replied,  *  I 

•  believe  it  is,  and  am  thankful  ;*  inquiring 
what  time  it  was,  on  being  told  it  was  after 
three  o'clock,  (lie  lifted  up  her  hands  as  en- 
gaged in  mental  prayer ;  foon  after  uttered  fome 
words,  but  not  intelligibly,  and  feeming  again 
to  drop  into  a  fweet  fleep,  neither  fliirred  or 
fpoke  more,  but  continuing  till  between  eight 
and  nine  o'clock,  pafled  eafily  away,  on  the  2/i.t/j 
of  the  tenth  month,  1775,  in  the  feventy-fe- 
cond  year  of  her  age,  and  3 17?  of  her  miniftry ; 
iitted,  no  doubt,  for  the  enjoyment  of  that  refl:, 
which  is  prepared  for  the  righteous,  having 
accompliflicd  her  warfare  in  the  church  mili- 
tant. 

Her  burial  on  the  26t/j,  after  a  folemn  meet- 
ing, was  refpedtfully  attended  by  many  friends 
and  others  of  her  fellow-citizens,  to  our  grave- 
yard in  this  city. 


ji   T^eftiniOny  from    Wrights-Town    Monthly^ 
Meeting  in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  Zebu^ 

LON  HeSTON. 

HE  appeared  early  in  the  miniftry,  continu- 
ed faithful,  and  died  in  good  unity  with 
the  church.  His  miniftry  was  lively  and  edi- 
fying, in  the  exercife  whereof,  he  feveral  times 
travelled  through  this  and  the  neighbouring 
colonies :  and  at  the  age  of  near  feventy-years, 

performed 


(     325     ) 

performed  a  religious  vifit  to  the  Delaware  In* 
dians,  refiding  to  the  weftward  of  Pennfylvania, 
which  vifit  was  cordially  received,  as  appears 
from  a  copy  of  a  fpeech  made  by  one  of  their 
chiefs  (captain  White  Eyes)  and  the  delivery 
of  a  belt  at  the  fame  time  in  token  of  friend- 
fhip,  at  a  meeting  for  worfhip  in  their  town  on 
the  river  Mui'kingum,  which  were  produced  to 
our  meeting  at  his  return. 

In  his  lall  illnefs,  he  exprefft;d  his  fatisfac- 
tion  with  the  dutiful  deportment  of  his  child- 
ren  towards  him  as  a  parent,  and  gave  them  fa- 
lutary  advice,  exhorting  them,  *  Not  to  give 
their  minds  too  much  to  temporal  things, 
nor  fcek  after  worldly  enjoyments  ^  but  leara 
to  get  vvifdom  and  unuerftanding,  which 
would  make  them  ihine  as  ftars  in  the  firma- 
ment; and  to  remember  their  feveral  duties, 
and  to  be  ready  at  the  cock-crow,  or  at  mid- 
night i  praying  his  God  and  Father  to  be  with 
them,  and  blefs  them.'  After  a  time  of 
filence,  he  faid,  '  I  am  at  peace  with  all  men. 
Lord,  thou  hall:  been  with  me  in  times  part, 
be  with  me  in  my  laft  moments,  and  I  pray 
my  God  and  Father,  that  he  will  bear  me  up 
as  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand,  to  my  everlaft- 
ing  home.* 

In  regard   to  outward  affairs,   he  exprefled 
himfelf  in  the  following  manner,   '  If  the  world 

*  would  have  lived  in  love  and  unity  one  with 

*  another,  it  appears  to  me,  that  no  good  thing 

*  would  have  been  withholden  from  us;   but  it 

*  feems  to  be  dark  times,   and  things  lay  very 

*  wide.  But  it  looketh  to  me,  there  will  be  a 
'  gathering  home  from  ofi"  the  barren  moun- 

Y  3  *  tains 


■■:% 


li 


(    326   ) 

'  tains  and  defert  hills,  of  them  that  are  little 

*  thought  of  at  this  time.      Lord,  let  thy  will 

*  be  done,  and  not  mine.      If  it  be  thy  will  that 

*  I  muft  depart  from  my  brethren  in  the  time 

*  of  their  trouble,  I  willingly  yield  in  obedi- 

*  cnce.  If  it  be  thy  will  that  I  lliould  be  fpar- 
'  ed  a  while  longer,  I  willingly  bear  my  part 

*  of  the  burdens  whatfoever  thou  pleareft   to 

*  lay  upon  me.'  Many  more  fimilar  expref- 
fions  he  frequently  uttered  during  his  laft 
illnefs,  under  which  he  was  fupported  in  a 
truly  pious  and  refigned  llate  of  mind. 

He  departed  this  life  the  \2th  of  the   third 
month,  1776,  in  the  fevcnty-fourth  year  of  his 


age. 


ji  Tcjlwiony  frcm  Kingwcod  Monthh-McethiT' 
VI  New-Jerfey,  concerning  Mary  Horner. 

C  HE  was  born  at  Mansfield,  in  the  county 
^  of  Burlington,  Ncw-Jerfey,  in  the  year 
1736,  of  parents  in  memberOiip  with  friends, 
and  was  educated  in  the  profeihon  of  the  truth 
as  held  by  us.  Her  tender  mind,  while  in  her 
minority,  w^as  fenfibly  reached  with  a  divine 
vifitation  of  the  love  of  God,  and  as  flic  o:rew 
to  riper  years,  flic  was  prefcrved  in  a  good  de- 
gree of  circumfped  walking  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord;  her  converfition  being  ferious,  fenfible 
and  guarded,  and  oftentimes  her  grave  deport- 
ment was  ufeful  as  a  check  to  her  compan-ions. 
In  tlie  year  1757,  I!":  '''  ~  married  to  Ifaac  Hor- 
ner, and  filled  the  fcation  of  a  faithful  and  nru- 

dent 


I 


(     327     ) 

dent  wife  and  mother.  In  the  beginning  of 
the  year  1768,  Hie  appeared  in  publick  as  a 
minifter,  her  teftimony  being  fliort  and  lively. 
In  the  year  1770,  flie  removed  with  her  huf- 
band  and  family,  to  fettle  within  the  compafs 
of  this  meeting,  and  has  fince  refided  among 
us.  She  was  remarkable  for  her  unreferved 
charitable  opennefs  and  innocent  freedom  of 
deportment  towards  all ;  and  through  the  in- 
fluence of  the  love  of  God  Ihed  abroad  in  her 
heart,  by  a  life  of  unafFed:ed  piety,  and  a  godly 
circumfpedion  of  condud:  and  deportment,  ihe 
obtained  a  good  report.  She  was  divers  times, 
with  the  concurrence  of  her  friends,  engaged 
in  gofpel  love,  in  vifiting  meetings  abroad,  and 
had  good  fcrvice  in  vifiting  families,  not  only 
within  the  compafs  of  this  monthly-meeting, 
but  others. 

Having  taken  a  cold,  it  brought  en  a  decay, 
under  which  ihe  languilhed  upv/ards  of  eight 
months,  near  half  of  which  time  (lie  neverthe- 
lefs  attended  meetings.  During  her  indifpofi- 
tion,  her  quiet  compofure  of  fpirit,  and  cheer- 
ful refignation  to  the  will  of  her  heavenly 
Mafler,  was  truly  edifying.  She  told  a  friend 
who  vifited  her  not  long  before  her  departure, 
that  *  Though  death  appeared  a  dark  paffage, 

*  yet  all  was  light  beyond  It.'  And  to  another, 
who  at  parting  bid  her  farewell,   flie  fiid,   *  I 

*  fliall  fare  well  when  I  am  rid  of  this  body.' 
She  was  remarkably  clear  in  her  underftanding, 
and  faid,   *  Though  bodily  weaknefs  prevailed, 

*  yet  her  fpirit  felt  no  diminution  of  llrength  ^ 
nd  exhorted  thofe  about  her,  to  place  their  re- 
liance on  the  Lord  alone,  *  A  confidence,'  fiid 

Y  4  ilic. 


«4 


w 


•iiaS^^: 


(  328  ) 

fhe,  *  ill  which  I  have  never  been  difappoint- 
ed.' 

One  evening  near  her  clofe,  fhe  broke  forth 
into  expreffions  of  praife  to  the  Almighty,  and 
humble  acknowledgments,   *  That  he  had  to 

*  her  performed  all  his  promifes,  had  prepared 

*  and  fanftificd  her,  and  brought  her  to   that 
'  hour  ;   and  that  fhe  fhould  praife  him  as  long 

*  as  (he  continued  in  the  body,  and  at  the  con- 

*  clufion,    cheerfully    furrender   hufband    and 

*  children,  and  all  that  he  had  given  her,  into 

*  his  hands/ 

In  or  near  her  laft  hour,  fhe  beckoned  her 
hufband  to  come  and  take  his  leave  of  her, 
and  then  compofedly  faid,   *  Thou  art   a  wel- 

*  come  meflenger,  thou  art  welcome,  take  me 

*  quickly.* 

She  died  the  317?  of  the  fifth  month,  1776, 
in  the  fortieth  year  of  her  age,  having  been  en- 
gaged in  the  miniflry  upwards  of  8  years. 


^  Teftimony  from  Salem   Monthly-Meeting   in 
New-Jerley,  concerning  ]ames  Daniel. 

TT  E  was  born  of  pious  parents,  and  thereby 
^^  knew  the  advantage  of  a  religious  educa- 
tion, which  he  frequently  exprefled  by  way  of 
encouragement  to  parents  and  youth,  as  a  means 
by  which  he  had  in  a  good  degree  been  guarded, 
in  the  time  of  his  youth,  from  the  vanities  of 
the  world.  Yet  as  he  grew  in  years,  he  clearly 
faw  he  wanted  the  experimental  part  of  the 
Chriflian  religion,  without  which  he  could  not 

attaiu 


(     329     ) 

attain  to  that  which  his  foul  exceedingly  long- 
ed for;  and  under  a  fenfe  of  this   want,   was 
brought  at  times  very  low,  and  for  fome  years 
had  to  pafs  through  a  ftate  of  mourning  and 
deep  exercife,  being  baptized  as  under  the  cloud 
and   in   the  fea,    in   a    fpiritual    fenfe ;    which 
brought  him  to  a  paflive  fubmiffion  to  the  di- 
vine will,  fo  that   it  pleafed  the  Lord,    in  the 
returns  of  his  favour,  to  vifit  him  with  the  di'iy- 
fpring  from  on  high.    And  having  learned  obe- 
dience through  the  things  that  he  fuftered,  he 
gave  up  to  the  heavenly  vifion,  and  came  forth 
in  the  miniftry  in  a  few  words,  moflly  in  fcrip- 
ture  language,  in  great  fimplicity ;  and  although 
not  eloquent,  yet  being  faithful  in   the  little, 
he  became  much  enlarged  in  his  gift,   having 
clear  openings   in  the  fcriptures,  and  at  times 
much    favoured    with  clear    profpedts    of   the 
ftates  of  meetings  and  individuals,  that  he  had 
to  fpcak  to  fecret  and  hidden  things,  in  the  de- 
monllration  of  the  fpirit  and  with  power,  which 
reached  the  witnefs  in  many  hearts.     He  was 
a  father  to  the  young  in  experience,  and  zealous 
to  reprove  lightnefs   and  vanity  where  he  faw 
occafion. 

He  travelled  in  the  work  of  the  miniftry, 
in  feveral  of  the  American  provinces,  and  once 
to  England,  of  which  fervices  v/e  had  comfort- 
able accounts.  He  was  zealous  for  the  fupport 
of  our  Chriftian  difcipiine  ;  was  favoured  with 
a  good  underftanding,  ex  inplary  in  his  life 
and  converfation,  and  lived  much  in  the  fim- 
plicity of  the  truth,  which  made  him  near  to 
his  friends,  and  a  ufeful  member  in  fociety. 
Being  weak  in  body,  a  confiderable  time  before 

his 


n 


I 

i 


{ 


I 


(     330    ) 

his  deceafe,  he  fald,   '  It  feemed  as  if  his  day's 

*  work  was  done,  and  nothing  lay  upon  him.' 
Obferving,  that  fome  worthy  friends  had  of 
late  been  removed  without  much  forefio^ht  of 
their  latter  end,  and  had  not  much  to  commu- 
nicate, he  faid,  '  If  it   fhould  be  his  cafe,  he 

*  would  not  have  it  looked  upon  as  in  difplea- 

*  fure,  for  he  was  clear  and  eafy  in  his  mind, 

*  and  that  he  believed  his  ftay  would  not  be 

*  long;'  which  proved  according  to  his  pro- 
fpecft;  for  being  taken  with  fomething  of  a 
quinfy,  followed  by  an  ague,  he  faid,  '  He 
'thought  that  would  be  his  laft  illnefs;*  ad- 
ding, *  I  have    never  been  defirous    to   know 

*  when  my  time  was  near  at  an  end,  but  have 

*  long  been  defirous   to  live  fo  as  to  be  ready, 

*  and  I  think  I  am  ready.     I  have  endeavoured 

*  to  be  faithful  in  the  difcharge  of  my  duty  in 

*  every  refped:,  and  have  nothing  lies  againft 
'  me,  but  feem  at  quiet.  I  have  in  other  ill- 
'  neffes  been  pretty  much  refigned,  yet  there 
'  feemed  fomething  of  a  choice  to  live  ^  but  in 

*  this  I  have  not  that  choice,  but  I  am  ready.' 
He  quietly  pafled  away,  after  a  fhort  illnefs  of 
about  fifteen  hours,  on  the  iS/y6of  the  twelfth 
month,  1776,  aged  feventy-two  years,  having 
been  a  miniftcr  about  40  years. 


j^J  Ti^Jh'/jjony 


(     331     ) 

u^  Tejlimony  from  Evefliam  Monthly -Meeting  m 
New-Jerfey,  concerning  Hannah  Foster. 


s 


HE  was  the  dauofhter  of  Enoch  and  Sarah 
Core,  of  Evefliam  aforefaid,  and  was  born 
the  17//6  day  of  the  tenth  month,  1710;  her 
father  dying  while  flie  was  very  young,  left 
her  and  three  other  children  under  the  care  of 
their  mother,  whofe  religious  concern  for  them 
was  very  great ;  as  fome  of  us  have  heard  our 
faid  friend  often  exprefs  both  in  publick  and 
private. 

She  was  naturally  cf  a  cheerful  difpofition, 
and  at  times  when  young  in  years,  (lie  fuffered 
an  airy  fpirit  to  prevail,  *^o  far  as  to  lead  her  into 
lightnefs  ;  yet,  through  divine  favour,  the  folid 
inftrudtion  and  example  of  her  mother  had 
fuch  influence  on  her  mind,  as  to  prcferve  her 
from  grofs  evils;  which  we  have  often  heard 
her  exprefs  with  awful  reverence. 

In  the  year  1729,  fiie  was  married  to  our 
friend,  William  Eoller,  and  entered  into  the 
care  of  a  flimily  ;  at  which  time,  the  cares  of 
this  world  had  great  cffed:  on  her  mind,  as 
fome  of  her  lall  expreliions  herein  after  men- 
tioned will  more  clearlv  evince. 

Some  time  after  her  marriage,  It  pleafed  the 
Lord  to  renew  his  vifitation  of  love  to  her 
foul,  and  to  ihew  her  the  vanity  of  all  tempo- 
ral enjoyments  without  his  love ;  and  fhe  yield- 
ing obedience  to  the  heavenly  vifion,  and  being 
given  up  to  fcrve  the  Lord,  had  a  gift  in  the 
miniftry  committed  to  her,  in  which  we  have 
reafon    to    believe,   flie   was   in   a   good  decrrec 

faithful 


(     3^^     ) 

faithful  to  improve,  and,   through  divine  aid, 
became  a  lively  minifler. 
^  She  vifited  moft  of  the  meetings  on  the  con- 
tinent of  America,  except  fome  part  of  Virgi- 
nia  and  Carolina;  and  the  accounts  received  of 
her  religious  labour  in  the  miniftry  were  com- 
fortable and  fatisfadtory.     Her  humble  awful 
waiting  in   religious   meetings  was   edifying; 
/lie  was  much  concerned  that  good  order  might 
be  prefervcd,  and  careful  to  example  and  ad- 
monifli  her  offspring  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
more  than  to  influence  their  minds  to  feek  after 
the  treafurcs  that  are  tranfitorv  and  perifliino-. 
A  near  fympathizer  with  the  afflided,  either  m 
body  or  mind,  often  vifiting  fuch,  and  admi- 
niftenng  to  their  relief. 

Towards  the  latter  part  of  her  time,  her 
health  was  much  impaired,  yet  /he  grew  more 
lively  in  the  miniftry;  and  in  fome  of  the  laft 
meetings  ihe  attended,  was  enabled,  in  a  folema 
manner,  to  invite  the  youth  to  join  the  heavenly 
call  of  God,  and  to  be  faithful  in  their  gifts 
and  then  they  would  be  raifed  like  an  army  in 
his  power,  to  fubdue  the  works  of  darknefs, 
which  {he  faw  much  prevailed  amongft  them  • 
remarking  feme  parts  of  the  epiftle  from  our 
laft  yearly  meeting,  refpefting  fome  hopeful 
youths  who  attended  that  folemn  fervice. 

In  her  laft  ficknefs,  which,  though  fhort, 
was  fharp,  flie  was  preferved  in  much  patience 
and  ftillnefs;  and  when  it  was  apprehended 
/he  was  near  expiring,  a  friend  who  came  to 
vifit  her,  taking  leave  of  thofe  attending  her,  (he 
held  out  her  hand  to  the  laid  friend,  and  defired 
to  be  raifed  up,  when  with  confiderable  difficulty 

ftie 


{     333     ) 
flie  faid,  *  That  there  was  a  time  when  her 

*  heart  and  mind  was  much  fet  on  the  world 

*  and  the  things  of  it,  and  it  profpered  with 

*  her  according  to  her  defire ;   but  flie  blefled 

*  the  name  of  the  Lord,  who  foon  let  her  fee 

*  the   vanity    and    emptinefs    of    all    worldly 

*  treafure,  and  that  flie  was  thankful  he  had 

*  enabled    her    to    yield     obedience    to    the 

*  heavenly  vifitation,  and   in  fome  degree  to 

*  anfwer  his  requirings ;  for  it  now  yielded  her 

*  more  peace  than  if  flie  had  poffeffion  of  the 

*  whole   world,    if  it   was   of   tenfold   more 

*  value  than  it  is ;  and  that  her  prayers  had 

*  often  been  to  the  Lord,  that  he  might  yet 

*  favour  the   rifing  generation  with   the  like 

*  vifitation  of  his  love,'  with  fome  other  words 
which  could  not  be  underftood.  She  appeared 
in  a  fweet  frame  of  mind,  and  after  a  fliort 
paufe,  took  her  folemn  leave  of  the  faid  friend; 
after  which  fhe  lay  ftill,  and  in  a  few  hours 
quietly  departed  this  life,  on  the  i^ti  of  the 
firft  month,  1777,  and  was  buried  in  friends 
burying-ground  at  Evefliam  the  lyt/j  of  the 
fame,  where  a  folemn  meetin<>  was  held,  aged 
lixty-fix,  and  a  minifter  upwards  of  40  years. 


^   T^eftimony  from  Falls    Monthly -Meeting   in 
Bucks  county^  concerning  Joseph  White. 

S  the  memory  of  the  juft  is  pronounced 

■  blefTed,  we  think  it  expedient  to  give  forth 

a  teftimony  concerning  this  our  efteemed  friend. 

He  was  born  at  the  Falls  the  z%th  of  the 

eleventh  month,  171 2-1 3,    Being  young  when 

his 


A 


<li 


(     334     ) 
his  father  died,  he  was  brought  up  under  the 
care  of  his  relations  and  friends  :  and  throu::h 
the  early  extendings  of  heavenly  regard  vvhitil 
young,    and    attending    to    the    teachings    of 
divine  grace,  he  was  led  and  preferved  from 
many  of  the  follies  and  extravagancies  incident 
to   unthinking  youth.      About  the  twentieth 
year  ot  his  age  he  appeared  in  pubiick  teftimo- 
ny  in  our  religious  meetings,  and  continuino- 
in   a  good   degree  faithful   to  the  meafure   of 
light  and  grace  communicated,  he  grew  in  his 
gift,  and  became  a  lively  and  able  minifter. 

^  He  was  naturally  of  an  open  and  cheerful 
difpofition,    and    honeftly    concerned    for    the 
promotion  of   piety  and  virtue,   and    for    the 
fupport  and  maintenance  of  good  order  in  the 
church;  for  which  fervice  he  was  eminently 
gifted,  and  truly  ferviceable  amongk  us,  being 
often   concerned  that    the  authority  of   truth 
might  be  kept  up  in  all  our  meetings  of  difci- 
pline,  and  that  true  judgment  might  be  placed 
upon  the  difordcrly  and  irreclaimable.    He  was 
exemplary  in  his  lite  and  converfation,  a  diligent 
and  timely  attender  of  our  religious  meetings 
when  health  of  body  permitted  ;   and  was  often 
favoured  therein  in  pubiick  teftimony  and  fup- 
plication,  much  to  the  comfort  and  edirication 
of  the   truly  humble  waiters.      And  although 
he  had  a  large  gift  in  the  miniiby,  he  many 
times  fat  meetings  in  filence,  waiting  upon  the 
Lord,  not  being  hal\v  or  forward  in  the  exercife 
of  his  gift ;  but  careful  not  to  miniller  without 
the  heavenly  life   and   power  that  firft  raifed 
him  up  in  the  minillry,  whereby  his  pubiick 

lervice 


(     335     ) 

ftrvice  was  greatly  to  the  confolation  and  re- 
frefhment  of  many. 

He  feveral  times  had  a  concern  to  vifit  the 
churches  abroad,  and  with  the  concurrence  of 
this  meeting,  vifited  many  of  the  meetings  of 
friends  in  this  and  feveral  of  the  adjacent  pro- 
vinces, and  once  through  fome  parts  of  Mary- 
land, Virginia,  and  North  Carolina  :  and  having 
for  fome  confiderable  time  been  under  a  weighty 
concern  to  pay  a  religious  vilit  to  friends  in  feve- 
ral parts  of  Europe,  he,  with  the  concurrence 
and  unity  of  his  friends,  took  fliipping  for  that 
purpofe  in  the  year  175S,  and  after  a  fliort 
palfage  landed  in  England  ;  and  having  pretty 
;>enerallv  vifited  friends  meetings  in  England 
and  Ireland,  and  fome  parts  of  Wales,  he  re- 
turned to  his  family  and  friends,  having  been 
from  home  in  truth's  krvice  near  three  years  : 
and  at  his  return  from  thefe  vifits  produced 
certiricates  of  friends  unity  and  good  fatisfaction 
w^ith  him,  and  his  pubiick  fervice  amongll 
them. 

He  was  divers  times  appointed  and  engaged 
in  the  fervice  of  vifiting  families,  being  well 
qualified  for  that  weighty  fervice. 

He  much  loved  the  company  and  converfa- 
tion of  his  friends  ;  was  a  loving  and  affec- 
tionate hulband,  a  tender  p:rent,  and  a  good 
neighbour;  generally  beloved  by  his  friends 
and  others  that  knew  him,  beins:  in  feveral 
refpects  ufeful  and  lerviceable  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood where  he  lived. 

He  was  attended  from  his  ycuth,  at  times, 
with  a  pain  at  his  breail,  with  intermiinons  of 
health,    fometimes     for   years,     and    at    other 

tifr.es 


t     3$6    ) 

times  but  fliort ;  but  as  he  advanced  further  ill 
age,  intermiffions  of  Iiealth  grew  fliort,  and 
pain  increafed,  which  brought  on  other  bodily 
infirmities,  which  he  bore  with  patience  and 
refignation,  often  craving  he  might  not  be  off 
his  watch  when  his  pains  were  exquifite,  nor 
his  faith  fail  in  the  time  of  trial,  believing  it 
to  be  the  goodnefs  of  God,  through  his  thus 
dealing  with  him,  more  and  more  to  wean  him 
from  all  outward  connexions  and  nearefl  ties 
of  nature,  that  being  as  the  pure  gold,  refined 
through  the  furnace,  he  might  with  triumph 
join  the  redeemed  that  were  gone  before,  which 
he  at  times  had  a  foretafte  and  evidence  of: 
but  the  time  when,  as  he  himfelf  fometimes 
exprefled,  he  did  not  then  fee,  believing  it  to 
be  confident  with  divine  wifdom  to  keep  it  hid 
from  him. 

The  latter  part  of  his  time  for  feveral 
months,  he  flept  but  little  in  the  night  feafon, 
being  at  times  engaged  in  reverent  interceffions 
and  divine  contemplation,  and  appeared  to  be 
waiting  for  the  folemn  moment. 

He  lived  in  the  compafs  of  the  Falls  parti- 
cular meeting  until  a  few  years  before  his 
death,  and  then  removed  to  Makefield,  ( a 
branch  of  the  fame  monthly-meeting,)  and 
having  for  fome  months  felt  llrong  delires  (if 
favoured  with  health)  to  go  to  the  Falls  meet- 
ing, and  on  a  monthly-meeting  day  fct  out  to 
go  there;  but  the  weather  being  cold,  and  he 
in  a  weak  ftate  of  health,  foon  found  himfelf 
unable  to  perform  the  journey,  and  returned 
home.  But  fome  time  after,  feeling  his  bodily 
ftrength  fomewhat  reftored,  and  love  renewed, 

he 


(     537     ) 

he  fet  out,  in  company  with  his  wife,  one 
firft-day  mornings  and  got  to  the  meeting, 
where  he  was  favoured  with  an  open  time  in 
publick  teftimony,  much  to  the  fitisfadion  of 
thofe  prefent.  After  the  meeting  was  over, 
and  friends  gone  out,  a  friend  being  defirous  of 
fpeaking  to  him,  not  feeing  him  out  of  doors, 
returned  into  the  houfe,  and  found  him  fitting 
on  a  feat,  unable  to  move  without  help;  th^ 
friend  affifted  him,  and  took  him  to  his  houfe, 
where  he  was  taken  care  of.  The  fit  being  of 
the  paralytick  kind,  was  much  more  favourable 
than  at  fome  other  times,  though  it  continued 
ebbing  and  flowing  for  feveral  hours;  in  which 
time  he  expreifed  feveral  things,  fome  of  which 
being  then  taken  down,  are  nearly  as  follows. 

Being  afked  by  his  fon  Samuel  how  it  was 
with  him;  he  anfwered,  *  I  do  not  know  but 
that  I  am  near  my  end.  My  defire  at  this 
time  for  thee  is,  that  thou  feek  unto  the 
Lord  for  afliftance,  to  govern  thee  in  thy 
condud:  in  this  fludluating  life,  for  I  have 
found  him  to  be  a  fure  help  and  counfdlor 
to  me;  and  if  thou  follow  after  him  in 
truth  and  fincerity,  as  I  have  endeavoured 
to  do,  he  will  be  unto  thee  a  fufRcient 
diredor,  a  teacher  that  cannot  be  removed 
into  a  corner.  I  have  not  been  anxious  to 
gather  a  portion  of  this  world,  nor  make 
to  myfelf  mammon  of  unrighteoufnefs,  for 
I  think  I  have  fccn  a  fnare  that  has  attended 
many  young  people  on  thefe  accounts.  I 
have  ever  from  my  youth  had  a  defire  to  be 
more  in  fubftance  than  in  fliew  :  Let  mc  ap- 
pear as  I  might  in  the  fight  of  men,  their 

Z  *  praife 


i 
t 

1 


(  338  ) 
praife  I  fought  not  for;  but  I  have  fought 
the  honour  of  God,  therefore  there  is  a 
place  where  no  trouble  fliall  annoy,  prepared 
for  me  as  a  reward  for  obedience.  You  that 
ftay,  be  more  humble,  and  when  trouble 
awaits  you,  look  not  upon  nor  truft  to  the 
arm  of  flelh  for  alTiftance,  but  flay  your- 
felves  upon  him  who  fuffered  for  you,  for  me, 
and  for  all  mankind  ;  for  I  have  for  fome 
time  believed,  and  lived  in  the  hopes  thereof, 
and  am  now  in  meafure  confirmed,  of  more 
glorious  things  yet  to  be  revealed  to  the 
church  of  ChriA,  and  that  further  and 
greater  difcoveries  will  yet  be  made,  with 
refped:  to  the  Chriftian  religion,  than  ever  yet 
has  been  fmce  the  apoflafy.' 
And  after  a  Ihort  paufe  he  broke  forth  in 
thefe  expreiiions,  *  The  door  is  open,  I  fee  an 
innumerable  company  of  faints,  of  angels, 
and  of  the  fpirits  of  juft  men,  which  I  long 
to  be  unbodied  to  be  with,  but  not  my  will, 
but  thy  will  be  done,  O  Lord  !  I  cannot  ut- 
ter, nor  my  tongue  exprefs,  what  I  feel  of 
that  light,  life,  and  love  that  attends  me, 
which  the  world  cannot  give,  neither  can  it 
take  away  from  me.  My  fins  are  walhed 
away  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  that  was 
fiain  from  the  foundation  of  the  v/orld;  ail 
rags  and  filthinefs  are  taken  away,  and  in 
room  thereof  love  and  good-will  for  all  man- 
kind. O  that  we  may  become  more  united 
in  the  church  militant,  and  nearer  refemble 
the  church  triumphant !  O  that  we  all  might 
make  fiich  an  end  as  I  have  in  profpect,  for 
it  is  all  light,  all  life,  all  love,  and  all  peace; 

the 


(     339     ) 
the  light  that  I  fee  is  more  glorious  than  the 
fun    in   the  firmament !    Come   Lord    Jefus 
Chrift,  come  when  thou  pleafefl,  thy  fervant 
is  ready  and  willing;  into  thy  hands  I  com- 
mit my  fpirit,  not  my  will,   but  thy  will  be 
done,    O   Lord !    Let  this  mortal   body   be 
committed  to  the  duft,  be  with  me,  with  my 
children,   and   my  grand-children ;    be  with 
all   them  that  love  thee,   that  love  thy  ap- 
pearance.     O  the  pains   that  I  feel,   that  at- 
tend this  mortal  body,  they  are  more  comely 
to  me  than  jewels !  I  rejoice  in  my  fighs  and 
groans,  for  to  mc  they  are  moft  melodious ; 
I  am  near  to  enter  that  harmony  with  Mofes 
and  the  Lamb,  where  they  cry  Holy,  holy, 
holy,   I  cannot  exprefs   the    joy  I  feel.     My 
heart  (if  it  were  poffible)    would   break  for 
joy.      If  any  inquire  after  me,   after  my  end, 
let  them  know  all  is  well  with  me.* 
Many  more  weighty  expreffions  he  fpoke, 

which  not  being  taken  down,  cannot  be  recol- 

ledted. 

The  next  day  his  pain  abating,  and  finding 
himfelf  fomewhat  relieved  from  his  diforder, 
he  was  taken  from  his  own  houfe,  where  he 
remained  in  a  weak  flate  of  health  for  fome 
time,  being  unable  to  go  much  abroad.  And 
one  night,  fome  fiiort  time  before  his  death,  his 
pain  had  been  fliarp  the  fore  part  of  the  night, 
but  the  latter  part  it  abating,  his  wife  lay  down 
by  him,  and  fell  afleep ;  but  he  as  ufiial  fiept 
not,  but  after  fome  time  called  to  his  wife 
in  thefe  words:  '  My  dear,  I  believe  I  mull 
take  my  leave  of  thee.  I  have  never  kca 
'  my  end   till  now,   and   now  I  fee  it  is  near, 

Z  2  •  and 


I 


(   340  ) 

'  and  the  holy  angels  enclofe  me  around,  wait- 
*  ins:  to  receive  me.'  His  wife  allied  him  if  ihe 
fliould  call  up  the  children,  he  faid,  he  did  not 
fee  any  thing  further  he  had  to  fay  to  them, 
except  to  his  fon  Jofeph,  who  being  called, 
and  he  having  exprelTed  what  he  had  on  his 
mind,  was  muchfpent,  and  appeared  as  though 
he  was  near  his  defired  port ;  but  after  fome 
time  he  revived,  with  thefe  words,  *  Life  is 
*yet  flrong  in  me,  and  will  not  yield.  Thus  he 
continued  the  few  concluding  days,  waiting  in 
refignation  and  retirednefs  of  mind,  until  the 
repeated  returns  of  the  paralytick  complaint 
reduced  his  faculties  and  fenfes  fo,  that  he 
knew  not  what  was  done  for  fome  days,  and 
departed  in  much  ftillnefs  as  in  a  lleep,  the 
lotb  day  of  the  third  month  1777,  and  was 
decently  interred  in  friends  burying-ground  at 
the  Falls  meeting-houfe,  the  nth  of  the  fame; 
his  body  being  attended  to  the  grave  by  a  num- 
ber of  friends  and  neighbours. 

May  we  under  the  confideration  of  our  great 
lofs  of  him,  and  many  other  faithful  labourers 
in  the  Lord's  vineyard,  now  removed  from  us, 
be  excited  fo  to  follow  their  footfteps,  that  with 
them,  we  may  be  partakers  of  that  incorrupt- 
ible inheritance,  which  is  referved  for  the 
righteous,  when  time  here  fliall  be  no  more. 

Aged  fixty-four,  and  a  minifter  about  44 
years. 


A  Tejlimony 


(  341  ) 

A  Tejllmony  from  Haddonfield  Monthly-Meet-^ 
ing  in  New- J  er fey,  concerning  Joseph 
G   I  B  s  o  N. 

pRECIOUS  is  the  memory  of  the  righteous, 
^     thofc  who   have  been    bright  examples   of 
holinefs  \\\  their  day,  and  therein  preachers  to 
others  in  life  and  converfation  :  it  lives  in  our 
hearts   to  give  this  fliort  teftimony,  that  fuch 
was   our  ancient    and    beloved  friend    Jofeph 
Gibfon,   an  elder  of  this   meeting.     He   was 
born  at  Woodbury  in  the  year  1690,  and  be- 
came early  acquainted  with  the  feafoning  vir- 
tue of  truth,  which  preferved  him  in  a  o-ood 
degree  from  the  vanities  of  youth,  and  made^him 
in  love  with  plainnefs  and  fobriety  while  young; 
by  a  watchful  attention  to  this  divine  principle* 
he  attained  a  pious  and  innocent  (lability  of  con- 
dudl  through  life,  not  often  equalled:   that  it 
may  be  jurtly  faid,  he  was   ''  An  Ifraelite  in- 
'*  deed,  in  whom  there  was  no  guile."  A  dili- 
gent attender  of  meetings,   and  a  lively  ex- 
ample there,   in  awful  humble  labour  for  that 
bread   which   ftrengthens    and    nourishes    the 
foul;  wherein    he   continued   fteadfaft   to  his 
concluding   period.       We  could  enlarge,  but 
conclude   with    the    words    of  the    Pfalmift^ 
*'  Mark  the  perfeft  man,  and  behold  the  up- 
*'  right,    for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace/' 
which  we  believe   v/as  in  an  eminent  degree 
the  cafe  of  this  our  friend,  who  **  being  dead^ 
**  yet  fpeaketh.'* 

He  departed  this  life,  after  a  /liort  illnefs, 
on  the  cjth  of  the  fourth  month  1777,  and  was 

Z  3  buried 


(     342     ) 

buried  the  nth,  in  friends  burying-ground  at 
Woodbury  aforelaid;  aged  about  eighty-feven 
years. 


j^  T^ e fit mony  from  Pipe-Creek  Monthly  Meeting 
in  Maryland,  concerning  Rachel  Far- 
QJJHAR,  late  wife  ^William  Farquhar,  jun. 


s 


HE  was  born  at  Caftlefliane,  in  Ireland,  in 
the  year  1737,  and  removed  to  Pennlyl- 
vania  with  her  parents,  John  and  Elizabeth 
Wright,  who,  after  fome  years,  fettled  in  York 
county,  w^ithin  the  conipafs  of  Warrington 
monthly-meeting,  of  whicli  Ihc  was  a  member, 
till  her  marriage  and  removal  with  her  huiband 
to  Pipe- Creek. 

She  was  religloufly  inclined  when  young; 
and  about  the  lifteenth  year  of  her  age,  by  a 
frcfh  vifitation  of  divine  love,  was  engaged  to 
feek  after  divine  wifdom  ;  io  that  ihe  became 
an  early  example  of  piety  and  virtue;  an  en- 
courager  and  promoter  of  virtuous  inclinations 
in  her  companions  and  acquaintance;  her  fl:cady 
conduft,  and  kind  and  exemplary  converfttion, 
gained  the  love  and  cileem  of  her  friends  and 
jieiehbours. 

After  her  marrias^e,  which  was  near  the  be- 
ginning  of  the  twenty-third  year  of  her  age, 
Ihc  continued  a  diligent  attender  of  meetings 
for  worinip  and  difcipline  when  ability  of 
body  would  admit;  and  when  there,  was  of  an 
exemplary  folid  deportment,  fo  that  fiie  was  la- 

voured 


(     343     ) 
voured  to  become  a  ufeful  member  of  fociety, 
of  found  judgment. 

She  firft  appeared  in  the  miniftry  in  the  fe- 
cond  month  1771,  and  though  not  large,  was 
pertinent  in  teftimony;  often  admonifliing  fuch 
as  were  forgetful  of  their  known  duties,  and 
fharply  reproving  where  a  wrong  fpirit  pre- 
vailed :  yet  frequently  fpeaking  comfortably  to 
the  bowed  down  mourners  in  Zion,  with  whom 
ilie  often  travailed  in  fpirit,  endeavouring  ac- 
cording to  her  ability,  to  lend  a  hand  of  help 
to  fuch. 

The  lafl  meeting  (he  was  at,  was  on  a  firfl- 
day,  about  a  week  before  flie  died,  in  which 
file  was  much  favoured,  and  fpake  concerning 
ifrael's  journey  from  Egypt  to  Canaan,  advifing 
not  to  fettle  fliort  of  a  pofl'cffion  in  the  pro- 
mifed  land.  As  ihe  was  walking  home  with 
her  hufband  in  a  folid  frame  of  mind,  flie  faid, 

*  In  my  Father's  houfe  are  my  manfions;'  fig- 
nifying,  *  if  (he  might  be  favoured  with  one  of 

*  the  leaft  of  them,  Ihe  would  be  content.' 
She  departed  this  life  the  i()tb  of  the  fourth 

month  1777,  and  was  interred  in  the  family 
burying-ground  on  the  21//  of  the  fame  month, 
in  the  fortieth  year  of  her  age,  and  jth  of  her 
miniftry. 


Z 


A  Tefli/nony 


n 


(     344    ) 

^  T^ejlimony  from  the  Monthly-Meeting  ^Phi- 
ladelphia, concerning  Mary  Emlen. 

^T^HIS  our  beloved  friend  arrived  in  Penn- 
^  fylvania,  with  her  parents  Robert  and 
Sufannah  Heath,  from  Great  Britain,  about 
the  year  1701,  in  the  ninth  of  her  age;  and 
in  1 71 6,  was  married  to  George  Emlin,  and 
fettled  in  this  city. 

^  About  the  year  17^8,  a  remarkable  vifita- 
tion  being  extended  to  friends  in  this  city,  the 
hearts  of  diver?  were  humbled,  and,  in  the  effi- 
cacy of  divine  love,  feveral  were  conflrained  to 
open  their  mouths  in  our  religious  aifemblies, 
in  pqblick  teftimony,  and  acknowledgments  of 
the  Lord's  goodnefs  and  gracious  dealings  with 
their  fouls. 

Our  worthy  friend  Daniel  Stanton,  in  his 
Journal,  mentions  this  as  a  memorable  time, 
and  names  the  feveral  friends  who  then  came 
forth  in  the  mjniftry,  of  which  number  this 
friend  was  one;  who  being  faithful,  grew  in 
her  gift,  and  not  only  laboured  in  this  city,  but 
divers  times  was  drawn  forth  in  the  love  of 
the  gofpel,  to  vifit  the  meetings  in  other  parts 
of  Pennfylvania  and  Ncw-Jerfey.  And  in  the 
year  1744,  in  company  with  our  dear  friend 
Mary  Evans,  vifited  the  meetings  of  friends  in 
New-England^  and  was  feveral  times  engaged 
With  others  in  the  weighty  and  profitable  work 
of  vifiting  the  families  of  friends  in  this  city, 
and  thrqugh  divers  meetings  in  the  country  ^ 
in  which  fervices  her  labours  were  acceptable,' 

being 


(     345    ) 

being  qualified  in  a  peculiar  manner  for  that 
work. 

Her  miniftry  was  lively,  and  delivered  in 
much  innocency  and  brokennefs  of  fpirit.  Be- 
ing a  woman  of  integrity,  flie  loved  Chriftian 
candour  and  plain  dealing,  and  wa^  prekrved 
clear  in  her  underftanding,  and  in  her  love  to 
truth.  During  her  illnefs,  which  was  {hort, 
file  was  favoured  with  an  earnefl  of  that  divine 
peace  and  reft  which  is  prepared  for  the  right- 
eous. 

She  departed  this  life,  in  this  city,  on  the 
ly?  of  the  fixth  month  1777,  and  was  interred 
in  friends  burial-ground  the  3^  following,  at- 
tended by  many  friends  and  others;  aged 
eighty-four  years. 


o 


A  T'eJllmGny  from\Ni\m\ngioY\  Monthly^Meeting 
in  the  county  ^Newcallle  on  Delaware,  con-^ 
cerning  Elizabeth  Shipley. 

U  R  beloved  friend  Elizabeth  Shipley, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Levis,  was  born  in 
the  Townfliip  of  Springfield,  and  county  of 
Chefter  in  Pennfylvania,  on  the  26M  day  of 
the  tenth  month  1690.  She  was  led  in  the 
prime  of  youth  to  deny  herfelf,  take  up  her 
crofs,  and  follow  Chrift ;  and  being  found 
walking  in  a  good  degree,  in  obedience  to  the 
meafure  of  grace  received,  about  the  twenty- 
fourth  year  of  her  age  fhe  appeared  in  the  mi- 
niftry;  and  being  faithful  in  the  improvement 
of  her  talent,  it  pleafed  the  Lord  to  make  her 


an 


(     346    ) 

an  able  and  fkilful  minifter  of  the  gofpel.  She 
travelled  in  the  fervice  thereof  in  this  land, 
both  fouthward  and  northward  in  the  early 
part  of  her  tune,  and  vifited  Barbadoes  in  com- 
pany with  Jane  Fenn,  in  the  year  1725;  but 
as  flie  kept  few  minutes,  we  have  little  account 
of  her  labours  abroad. 

In  the  year  1728,  Ihe  was  married  to  William 
Shipley,   near  Springfield  aforefaid,  where  they 
lived  until  the  year   1736,  about  which  time 
they  removed  with  their  family  to  this  place; 
and  we  believe  fhe  was  an  inftrument  in  the 
Lord's  hand,  to  fettle  a  meeting  here,  and  ga- 
ther many  to  it.     In  1743,   (he  embarked  for 
England  with   our  friend  Either  White,  and 
the  vellcl  going   by  way   of  North-Carolina, 
while  there,  they  vifited  fome  meetings  in  that 
province;  after  which   they  failed  again,  and 
arrived  at  Liverpool  on  the  26t/j  of  the  feventh 
month,   and    in  gofpel   love,   vifited  generally 
the  meetings  of  friends  in  England,   Scotland, 
and  Ireland,   to  their  own  fatisfadlon;  and,  as 
appears  by  accounts  from  friends  there,  to  the 
comfort  of  many.     She  alfo  made  feveral  fhort 
vihts  to  the  neighbouring   provinces ;  and  in 
the  feventieth  year  of  her  age,  in  company  with 
our   friend  Hannah   Poller,   vifited  feveral   of 
the  northern  provinces.     She  was  feveral  times 
exercifcd  in  that  important  fervice  of  vifitin*^ 
families,  in  which  her  company  and  labour  was 
very  acceptable. 

Her  deportment  in  meetings  was  grave  and 
folicl,  her  gift  in  the  minillry  lively  and  edify- 
ing, in  prayer  awful  and  weighty,  not  being 
forward  in  appearing. 

AUhou:.^h 


(     347     ) 

Although  her  natural  ftrength  was  much 
abated  in  the  latter  part  of  her  time,  yet  her 
faculties  remained  bright,  and  her  miniftry 
accompanied  with  life  and  power. 

In  the  time  of  her  laft  illnefs,  as  feveral 
friends  who  came  to  vifit  her  were  fitting  by 
her,  flie  appeared  filled  with  divine  power, 
and  fpoke  in  a  lively  manner  of  the  drawings 
of  the  Father's  love  to  bring  her  to  fettle  in 
this  place,  and  faid,  that  his  promifes  had 
been  fulfilled  to  her;  advifing  to  faithfulnefs 
in  doing  the  work  of  their  day;  that  for  her 
own  part,  flie  was  as  a  Ihock  of  corn  fully 
ripe,  and  Ihould  fhortly  be  gathered  to  the 
haven  of  roll. 

In  a  little  time  after  this,  (lie  was  removed 
to  Wert-iMarlborough ;  at  which  place  /lie 
finillied  her  courfe,  on  the  lot/j  day  of  the 
tenth  month  1777,  in  the  eighty-feventh  year 
of  her  age;  a  minifter  about  63  years.  She 
was  interred  in  friends  burying-ground  on  the 
12//6  of  the  fame  month,  where  a  iblemn  meet- 
ing was  held  on  the  occafion. 


A  T^cftimony  from  Wilmington  Mznthly-  Meeting 
in  the  county  of  Newcaftle  on  Delaware, 
concerning  Esther  White. 

/^UR  beloved  friend  Efther  White,  daughter 
^^  of  Thomas  Canby,  of  the  county  of 
Bucks  in  Pcnnfylvania,  was  born  in  the  fecond 
month  1700.  In  her  voun^  years  fhe  loved  to 
attend  religious   meetings,    and  to   fee  friends 

behave 


m 


I 


(  348  ) 

behave  folid  therein,  being  herfelf  an  example 
of  piety.  She  married  John  Stapler,  of  the 
county  aforefaid;  and  being  called  to  the  work 
of  the  miniftry,  fhe  became  a  faithful  labourer. 
About  the  thirty-fourth  year  of  her  age,  her 
hufband  was  removed  by  death ;  after  which 
/he  married  John  White,  and  in  the  year  1739 
removed  with  their  fimily  to  this  place. 

In  the  fpring  of  the  year  1743,  fhe,  in  com- 
pany with  our  friend  Elizabeth  Shipley,  failed 
for  England  by  way  of  North-Carolina,  and 
while  there,  vifited  fome  meetings  in  that 
province,  then  embarked,  and  arrived  at 
Liverpool  in  the  feventh  month  following, 
and  in  gofpel  love,  vifited  the  meetings  of 
friends  generally  through  England,  Ireland,  and 
Scotland,  to  their  own  fatisfadion,  and,  as  ap- 
pears by  accounts  received,  to  the  comfort  and 
edification  of  many;  and  returned  home  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  year  1745,  to  the  joy  of  her 
friends  and  family. 

In  the  year   1750,  fhe  vifited  moil  of  the 
meetings  of  friends  in  Maryland,  Virginia,  and 
the  Carolinas;  and  in  1756,  in  company  with 
Grace  Fifher,  thofe  in  New-Jerfcy,  and  New- 
York  Government:  and  in  1760,  in  company 
with    Hannah   Fofter,    junior,    thofe    on    the 
Eaftern-Shore  of  Maryland,  and  the  counties 
on  Delaware.    She  alfo  often  vifited  the  neigh- 
bouring meetings ;  and  in  1 776,  and  the  feventy- 
feventh  year  of  her  age,   after  a  long  time  of 
ficknefs,  (he,  in  great  bodily  weaknefs,  attend- 
ed the  quarterly-meeting  at  Fairfax  in  Virginia, 
much  to  her  own  peace  and  friends  fatisfadion. 

She 


(     349    ) 

She  was  an  ufeful  member  of  focicty,  and 
a  woman  of  uncommon  chearfulnefs  of  fpirit, 
although  largely  experienced  in  afflidions; 
through  which  fhe  was  mercifully  fupported 
by  divine  fufficiency  ;  and  being  inftruded  in 
forrow,  had  a  fympathizing  heart  with  the 
afflidions  of  others,  and  was  ready  to  com- 
municate to  their  relief  both  in  fpirituals  and 
temporals.  Her  deportment  was  grave  and 
folid,  her  miniftry  lively  and  edifying,  even  to 
old  age.  She  was  frequent  in  exhorting  and 
encouraging  friends  to  faithfulnefs  in  thefe 
times  of  great  trial  and  outward  commotion ; 
that  they  might,  with  the  wife  builder,  dig 
deep,  and  experience  their  foundation  to  be 
laid  fure,  that  neither  winds  nor  floods  might 
move  them.  She  was  careful  to  maintain  bro- 
therly love,  fometimes  faying,  that  *  Love  was 
*  her  life,  that  fhe  could  not  live  without  it;' 
and  being  livingly  fenfible  of  the  precioufnefs 
thereof,  was  defirous  to  promote  it  in  others. 

After  a  life  in  which  flie  had  to  endure 
fevcral  long  and  trying  feafons  of  ficknefs, 
and  to  pafs  through  many  deep  baptifms  of 
forrow,  through  which  flie  was  fupported  with 
becoming  cheerfulnefs,  patience  and  refigna- 
tion,  fhe  departed  this  life  on  the  ^th  day  of 
the  twelfth  month,  1777,  in  the  feventy-eighth 
year  of  her  age,  having  been  a  minifter  up- 
wards of  50  years ;  and  on  the  feventh  of  the 
fame  month,  and  firft  of  the  week,  was  in- 
terred in  friends  burying-ground  in  Wilming- 
ton J  being  much  beloved  by  her  neighbours, 
her  funeral  was  accompanied  by  many  friends, 
and  others,  and  was  a  fclemn  opportunity. 

'  May 


1-. 


I 

I 


fl 


(     35^    ^' 
May  the  great  Lord  of  the  harveft,  who  is 
removing  many  eminent    minifters    from    his 
churches,  be  pleafed  to  raife  up  others  to  ftand 
faithful  vvitneiles  for  his  name  and  truth  in  th 
earth. 


j4  Tejlhnony  from  Deer-Creek  Monthly -Meeting 
in  Mary  hind,  concerning  Joseph  Jones. 

TTE  was  born  in  the  city  of  Worcefter,  in 
•*--■•  Old-England,  in  the  year  i6S6.  His 
parents  being  of  the  church  of  England,  edu- 
cated him  in  that  way  during  his  abode  with 
them,  which  was  until  he  was  about  fourteen 
years  of  age.  In  the  year  1700  he  arrived  at 
Philadelphia,  and  going  into  New- Jerfey,  there 
refided  until  twenty-one  years  of  age. 

He  was  convinced  of  the  truth  about  the 
year  170S,  and  in  1712  appeared  in  the 
minlftry,  being  then  in  the  twcnty-fixth  year 
of  his  age.  Having,  iince  his  convincement, 
undergone  many  fore  condicls,  by  reafon  of  a 
backwardnefs  to  comply  with  the  Lord's  re- 
quirings,  whereunto  he  had  divers  times  been 
difobedient  through  diffidence  and  weaknefs  j 
but  at  length  he  gave  up,  and  therein  found 
peace. 

After  his  marriage,  he  rehded  about  twelve 
years  at  Nottingham,  in  Cheller  county,  Penn- 
lylvania,  and  then  removed  to  Deer-Creek, 
where  he  continued.  He  was  of  an  innocent 
life  and  harmlefs  converfation  ;  and  in  him 
were    Mended    thofe    truly    Chrillian    virtues 

which 


(  351  ) 

which  render  religion  lovely  and  defirable ; 
even  the  irreligious  efteemed  him  an  ornament 
to  the  Chriflian  profeffion.  Being  very  con- 
verfant  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  favoured 
with  a  retentive  memory,  he  was  enabled  to 
quote  them  w^ith  propriety,  and  very  often 
fuitably  apply  them  to  inftruction  and  edili- 
cation. 

Divine  love,  as  witnelled  by  the  believers  in 
Chrift,  was  a  fubjed:  upon  which  he  frequently 
exprell'ed  himfelf,  in  engaging  and  perfualive 
terms  \  inviting  others  to  come  and  be  made 
partakers  of  fo  glorious  a  treafure;   adding,  *  It 

*  had  been  the  crown  and  joy  of  his  life,   the 

*  comfort  and  fuppcrt  of  his  c!d  nge,  ai:d  was 

*  perfuaded  would  not  forfake  him  in  death.' 

Of  earthly  treafure  he  polkired  little,  but 
he  appeared  to  be  one  of  thofe  poor  of  this 
world,  whom  the  apcil:le  James  mentions, 
as  *'  Chofen  by  God,  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs 
'^  of  the  kingdom,  uhich  he  hath  promifed  to 
them  that  love  him."  In  this  happy  fituation 
he  w^as  fupported  v/ith  Chriftian  fortitude, 
through  times  of  adverfity  and  deep  affliction. 

His  wife  dying  in  the  ninth  month,  1777, 
to  whom  he  had  been  an  aiteflion ate  companion 
upwards  of  fixty  years,  he  did  not  long  furvi\'e 
her  ;  but,  about  four  months  afterwards,  was 
vifited  with  his  laft  illnefs,  in  which  he  fullered 
much  pain,  but  was  compcfed.  Some  days  be- 
fore his  departure  he  grev/  ealy,  and  in  his 
latter  moments,  when  exhaufted  nature  fcarccly 
left  him  rtrength  to  utter  himfelf  intelligibly, 
he  lamented  the  ftate  of  the  carclefs  and  un- 

conc^:rncJ, 


\S 


I 

1 


I 


(     352    ) 

concerned,  who  did  net  duly  and  timely  con- 
fider  their  latter  end. 

He  feemed  verydefirous  to  be  diflblved,  and 
be  with  Chrift  ;  and  on  the  SV/6  of  the  firft 
month,  1778,  as  a  ihock  of  corn  fully  ripe, 
he  was  removed  from  works  to  rewards,  in  the 
ninety-third  year  of  his  age ;  leaving  behind 
him  the  favour  of  a  good  name,  being  gene- 
rally beloved  by  people  of  all  ranks  and  de- 
nominations who  knew  him.  On  the  11  t/b  of 
the  fame  month,  he  was  interred  in  friends 
burying-ground  at  Deer-Creek. 


ji  Tejiimony  from  Uwchlan  Monthly-Meethig  hi 
Pennfylvania,  CGncerningQviiYiiiw  John. 

TJE  was  born  (by  his  own  account)  in  Pem- 
^^  brokeOiire,  in  the  Principality  of  Wales, 
in  the  year  1683,  and  was  in  his  youth  an  ear- 
neft  feeker  after  righteoufnefs  among  divers 
forms  of  religion,  until  he  became  meafurably 
convinced  of  the  principle  of  truth  as  held  by 
friends,  by  perufing  William  Penn's  Key  to 
Chriftian  Knowledge,  before  he  had  much,  if 
any,  outward  acquaintance  with  them  :  And 
coming  over  to  this  country  when  a  young 
man,  he  foon  after  joined  with  friends  in  reli- 
gious fellowfliip  ;  and  being  faithful  to  the 
manifeftations  of  divine  grace  in  his  heart,  he 
had  a  gift  in  the  miniftry  beftowed  upon  him  ; 
and  though  not  large,  was  favoury  and  edi- 
fying ;  which,  together  with  his  exemplary 
life  and  converfation,  manifelled  him  to  be  an 

heavenly- 


(     353     ) 
heavenly-minded  man,    much  redeemed  from 
the  love  and  fpirit  of  this  world. 

He  was  not  anxious  about  the  increafe  of 
outward  riches,  but  eafy  and  content  with  a 
fmall  fhare  thereof:  fo  much  as  ferved  for  bo- 
dily fupport  in  great  fimplicity  and  phinnefs, 
he  thankfully  received;  having  a  teftimony 
againft  all  fuperfluity,  and  every  thing  tending 
to  exalt  the  mind  of  man,  or  promote  worldly 
greatnefs  in  any  degree;  feeking  above  all,  the 
Kingdom  of  Heaven,  and  the  righteoufnefs 
thereof. 

He  was  a  lover  of  peace  amongft  brethren, 
and  in  his  neighbourhood,  and  by  precept  and 
example  laboured  to  promote  it;  being  at 
times  concerned  to  travel  about  on  foot,  even 
in  advanced  age,  to  his  friends  houfes,  and  pay 
(hcrt  vifits  in  true  Chriftian  love,  and  drop 
weighty  and  edifying  hints,  tending  to  ftir  up 
the  pure  mind;  and  fcarcely  any  thing  was 
faid  by  him  at  any  time  but  what  had  a  ten- 
dency that  way. 

He  was  a  remarkable  and  worthy  example, 
in  conftantly  and  early  attending  our  religious 
meetings,  until  upwards  of  ninety  years  of 
age  ;  when  through  weaknefs  and  infirmity,  he 
was  confined  at  home,  and  underwent  great 
bodily  afflidion  with  true  Chriftian  fortitude 
and  refignation  to  the  divine  will,  patiently 
waiting  his  change;  which  was  on  the  2^th 
ofthefixth  month,  1778;  aged  about  ninety- 
five,  and  a  minifter  near  70  years. 


i 


A  a 


A  Tejl'.mony 


(;  354    ) 

J  Tejlimony  from  the  Monthly-Meeting  of  Friends 
of  Philadelphia  for  the  Southern  Diftridt, 
concerning  John   Hallowell. 

HE  was  exemplary  in  a  diligent  attendance 
of  our  religious  meetings  and  folid  patient 
waiting  therein,  and  ferviceable  among  us  ac- 
cording to  ability,  in  the  fupport  of  the  difci- 
pline^  of  a  meek  and  quiet  fpirit,  careful  not 
to  give  juft  occafion  of  offence  to  any.  He 
was  appointed  an  elder  in  the  year  1772, 
which  ftation  he  conduced  to  good  fatisfac- 
tion. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  eighth  month,  1777, 
he  was  taken  unwell,  and  being  under  great 
bodily  pain,  often  begged  for  patience,  faying, 
he  was  afraid  to  afk  for  any  thing  elfe.  Afte^ 
he  had  been  confined  about  two  weeks,  his 
pain  fomewhat  abating,  he  called  his  children 
together,  and  Ipoke  to  them  as  follows:   •  It 

*  looks  as  if  I  may  Ihortly  be  taken  from  you, 

*  and  I  think  I  have  nothing  to  charge  myfelf 

*  with,   in  regard  to  bringing  you  up.     I  have 

*  with  great  care  watched  over  your  morals, 

*  and  anxioufly  endeavoured  by  example,    to 

*  teach  you  to  walk  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord ; 

*  but  a  backward  difpofition  prevailing,  which 

*  I   fear,   has  fometimes  kept  me  from  doing 

*  the  good    I   might  have  done  in  the  worlds 

*  has  at  times,   when   my  heart  has  been  ear- 

*  neftly  engaged  for  you,   caufed  me  to  keep 

*  filence,  when  it  might  have  been  profitable 

*  to  have  thus  addreffed  you.      Look   to   the 

*  Lord  my  children,  and  afk  of  him  to  diredl 

*  your 


C     355    ) 
your  ways.    He  muft  be  the  fupport  ofyouth, 
as  well  of  old  age.    It  is  him,  and  him  alone, 
you   muft   cleave  to,  if  ever  you  expedt  to 
find    peace   that  will   be  lafting.     It  is  not 
moral   reditude,    going  to  meeting,  or  any 
outward   ads  of  devotion   only,    that  will  do 
for  you.     Religion  is  an  inward  work,  and 
true  worfhip  muft  be  performed  in  the  heart, 
by  quietly  waiting  on  him  who  is  the  rock 
of  ages.     I  know  by  experience  what  I  fay; 
therefore  earneftly  dcfire  you  to  look  to  the 
Lord,  live  near  him,  and  let  his  fear  diredl 
you  in  all  you  undertake.  '  Keep  out  of  the 
noifes  and  confufions  that  are  in  the  world ; 
it  is  all  dclufion.     To  be  bleft  with  the  pre- 
fence  of  the  Lord  in  a  dungeon,  is  preferable 
to  liberty  enjoyed  in  palaces  without  it.    And 
if  it  fhould  pleafe  the  Lord  to  take  me  from 
you,  though  we  may  part  for  a  feafon,  yet  if 
we  walk  in  his  ways,  wc  ftiall  hereafter  meet 
in  eternal  blifs.' 
His  diforder  incrcafing,    his  pain  at  times 
was  very  great,  which  he  was  enabled  to  bear 
with  a  good  degree  of  Chriftian   refignation  ; 
often  defiring  he  might  be  endued  with  a  pa- 
tience  to  hold  out  to  the  end.     And  although 
his  outward  tabernacle  gradually  'decayed,  yet 
the  feafonable  and  lively  exprefTions  which  he 
at  times   uttered,    evidenced  that   his   inward 
man  was  gradually  renewed. 

A  few  weeks  before  his  departure,  feveral 
friends  coming  to  vifit  him,  after  a  feafonable 
time  of  filencc,  he  fpoke  as  follows : 

*  I  have  often  of  late  been  led  to  examine 
•  myfelf,    to    fee   what    it    is    that  keeps  mc 

A  a  2  «*  back 


H 


M 


* 


i 

i 

I 


(     }S6     ) 

back;  fomctimes  I  think  I  fee  death  advanc- 
ing   fvvift,    and  at  other  times  quite  gone. 
At  this  time  in  particular,  I  have  been  led  to 
confider  whether  there  remains  any  thing  for 
me  to  do,   and  if  I  have  any  thing  in  my 
heart  againfl  any  perfon,  that  my  love  is  not 
yet  perfedl;  and  upon  a  ftriifl  examination, 
I  find  nothing  but  love  to  mankind  univer- 
fally.     I  have   been  greatly  tried  with  pain 
of  body,  and  poverty  and  barrennefs  of  fpi- 
rit,  but  through  mercy  have  been  preferved 
from  murmuring ;  and   I  have  a  hope,  that 
when  I  put  off  this  body,  I  fliall  be  at  rell ; 
and  that  hope  is  an  anchor  to  the  foul.* 
A  day  or  two  before  his  departure,  his  pain 
much  abated,  and  though  he  was  reduced  very 
low,  yet  was  preserved  in  much  calmnefs  and 
ferenity   of  mind,  faying,  *  He  thought  his 

*  diffblution  was  near;  that  he  had  done  with 

*  every  thing  below,  and  expeded  the  change 

*  to  him  would  be   a  happy  one,   believing  a 

*  place  of  reft  was  prepared  for  him.' 

He  quietly  departed  this  life,  the  26/.^  of 
the  7^/6  month,  1778,  in  the  fixty-fourth  year 
of  his  age,  and  his  body  was  interred  the  day 
following  in  friends  burying-ground  in  this 
city. 


yf  Tejlimony 


(     357     ) 


A  Tejihnony  from  Pipe- Creek  Monthly- Meeti?ig 
in  Maryland,  concerjiing  VV.  Farqjjhar. 

TTE  was  born  in  Ireland  the  29//?  of  the 
•*■-*•  feventh  month,  1705,  and  came  to  Ame- 
rica about  the  fifteenth  year  of  his  age,  and 
fettled  in  Pennfylvania,  where  he  was  convinced 
of  the  truth,  and  married  amon<j  friends.  In 
the  year  1735,  he  removed,  and  fettled  at  Pipe- 
Creek,  when  there  were  very  few  inhabitants 
in  thofe  parts.  Some  years  afterwards  he  was 
concerned  that  a  meeting  might  be  fettled, 
which  was  allowed  to  be  held  at  his  houfe  at 
times  for  feveral  years ;  when  the  number  of 
friends  increafing,  they  concluded  to  build  a 
meeting-houfe,  which  our  laid  friend  zealoufly 
promoted.  His  houfe  was  much  reforted  to  by 
travelling  friends  and  others,  both  ia  that  early 
period  and  fince,  to  whom  he  was  courteous 
and  kind. 

Some  years  after  the  fettlement  of  a  monthly- 
meeting  at  Fairfax,  of  which  he  was  a  mem- 
ber, he  was  appointed  to  the  ftation  of  an  elder, 
which  he  filled  with  propriety  and  reputation  j 
being  an  example  of  plainnefs,  and  anxioufly 
careful  for  the  education  of  his  children.  He 
was,  at  times,  concerned  in  meetings,  to  ex- 
hort friends  to  keep  to  the  teltimony  of  truth, 
and  particularly  the  youth,  for  whom  hefeemed 
zealoufly  concerned,  that  as  they  grew  in  vears 
they  might  grow  in  grace. 

For  fome  months  before  his  deceafe,  he  was 
in  a  weak  ilate  of  body,  yet  frequently  attended 

A  a  3  mcetii^igs. 


V 


\ 


(     3S8     ) 

meetings,  and  the  laft  time  of  his  being  there 
was  about  four  days  before  he  died.  The  night 
following  being  in  much  pain,  hefevera!  times 
cried  out,  *  O  Father!  mitigate  my  pain,  if  it 

*  be  thy  will/  and  was  favoured  to  keep  in 
the  patience  and  refignation,  waiting  for  his 
change.  The  day  before  he  died,  his  wife 
leaning  over  him  mourning;  he   faid  to  her, 

*  Weep  not  for  me,  but  for  thyfelf  and  others. 

*  The  Lord  is  near.' 

He  departed  this  life,  the  21/?  of  the  ninth 
month,  1778,  and  was  buried  in  the  family 
burying-ground  on  the  23^ of  the  fame  month; 
aged  near  feventy-three  years. 

P.  S.  I  am  willing  to  communicate  a  few 
hints  of  what  has  often  palled  through  my  mind 
concerning  my  dear  hulband,  whofe  memory, 
to  me,  remains  precious.  He  was  much  con- 
cerned for  the  welfare  of  the  young  and  rifing 
generation,  often  cautioning  and  exhorting 
friends  in  their  fevcral  ftations,  ftridtly  to  exa- 
mine the  great  duty  and  charge  committed  to 
their  truft;  and  in  a  particular  manner,  his 
oitspring,  that  they  would  mutually  live  in 
love  with  each  other,  and  that  they  might  be 
careful  to  bring  up  their  children  in  the  nur- 
ture and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 


A  Teftimony  from  the  Montbly-Meeting  ^/Phila- 
delphia, concerning  }^Iaky  Pemberton. 

CHE  was  the  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Mary 
^  Stanbury,  of  this  city,  who  were  removed 

by 


(     359     ) 

by  death  in  her  tender  age ;  after  which  (lie  was 
put  under  the  care  of  our  friends  Richard  and 
Hannah  Hill,  by  whom  flie  was  religioufly 
educated.  She  was  endued  with  good  natural 
underftanding,  and  being  obedient  to  the  dif- 
coveries  of  divine  grace  in  her  own  mind,  (lie 
experienced  a  growth  and  advancement  in  the 
life  of  religion,  and  through  its  gradual  work, 
became  an  ufeful  and  aftive  member  in  the 
church,  being  many  years  in  the  flation  of  an 
elder  and  overleer.  Her  converfation  was  lively 
and  inftrudtive,  her  deportment  folid  and  ex- 
emplary, and  in  our  religious  meetings,  it  was 
often  apparent  (he  was  favoured  with  the  pre- 
paration of  a  broken  heart  and  contrite  fpirit 
for  the  folemn  performance  of  divine  worfliip. 
She  felt  the  afflidions  of  others  with  tender 
fympathy,  and  was  enabled  through  divine  help 
to  bear  her  own,  which  were  various  and  prov- 
ing, with  great  refignation  and  Chriltian  for- 
titude. She  was  (irft  joined  in  marriage  to 
Richard  Hill  ;  and  (bme  time  after  his  deceafe, 
to  our  worthy  friend  Robert  Jordan  :  and 
laftly,  in  the  year  1747,  to  our  valued  friend 
Ifrael  Pemberton,  lately  deceafcd;  and  through 
the  feveral  vici(ritudes  of  life,  (lie  was  favoured 
to  perfevere  with  great  liability  and  prudence. 

The  following  was  found  among  her  papers 
after  her  deceale,  by  the  date  whereof  it  is 
fuppofed  to  have  been  wrote  on  an  occafion  of 
very  deep  and  uncommon  affliclion. 

*  Fourth  month  16//?,  J761.  This  being 
'  a  day  of  great  falration,   wherein  the  divine 

*  power  hath  manifeftly  appeared  in  bringing 

•  relief  and    fuccour    to    my    diilre(reJ    ibal, 

A  a  4  *  and 


^ 


\ 


(     36o    ) 

and  working  deliverance  for  rne,  which  no 
human  means  could  have  effcded;  I  earneftly 
defire,  in  the  depth  of  humility  and  awful 
reverence,  that  it  may  be  a  dav  never  for- 
gotten by  me;  but  that  thankfgivings  and 
living  praifes  may  fill  my  heart  to  the  Lord 
Jehovah,  in  whom  is  evcrlulUng  fcrcngth, 
whofe  arm  alone  hath  brought  fJvarion, 
'  bleiTed  be  his  mime,  his  faithiulnefs  £:ileth 

*  not  thofe  whofe  trull  and  confidence  is  in  him.* 
The  removal  of   her  dear  hufband,   into   a 

flate  of  exile  in  the  ninth  month,  1777,  was  a 
renewed  afflidion  to  her,  which  ihe  appre- 
hended, as  fhe  exprefied  to  a  friend,  might 
tend  to  fhorten  her  flay  in  this  world. 

She  fell  into  a  gradual  decline  and  weaknefs 
of  body  during  his  abfence,  which,  though  it 
increafed  upon  her,  flie  did  not  keep  her  bed 
but  about  four  or  five  weeks,  in  which  time 
rtie  often  exprefied  herfelf  in  a  lively  manner. 
On  the  23^/  of  the  ninth  month,  in  the  morn- 
ing,   her  hufband  fitting   with   her,  flic  faid, 

*  It  is  now  evident  to  me,  my  dear,  we  mufl 
^  foon  part;  we  have  paficd  through  many  deep 

*  trials;  there  is  nothing  between  us  but  true 
'  love  and  great  afFedion,  I  hope  thou  wilt  be 
'  kept  in  true  refignation.  I  had  fomc  hope 
'  of  continuing  fome  time  longer,  both  on  thy 

*  account,  and  for  the  fake  of  our  dear  grand- 

*  daughter;   but    I  am  not  folicitous  about  it, 

*  not  very  folicitous.* 

The  afternoon  of  the  fame  day,  being  in  a 
fwest  frame  of  mind,  fhc  faid,  *  They  who 
'  live  near  the  fpring  of  life,  are  fenfible  their 
'  change    will    be    for    the    better,    a    happy 

*  change 


{  361  ) 

'  change  from  a  fi:ate  of  deep  afilidion ;'  and 
fome  time  after  faid,  *  The  fpring  of  life  is 
'  often  opened  for  the  refreihment  of  the 
'  wearv  travellers.' 

Tenth  month  xjih.    Being  low  in  body  and 
mind,  one  ct  her  daughters  prefent,  (he  faid, 

*  Whenever   my  mind  is   turned  to  think  of 

*  getting  better,   I  am  engaged  to  defire  to  be 

*  kept  under  the  Lord's  notice,  who  hath  been 

*  good  to  me;   tlie  wonderful  Counfcllor,  the 

*  cverlafiing  Father,  the  Prince  of  Peace.    Few 

*  women  have  had  fuch  fcenes  to  pafs  through 

*  as  I  have  had,  but  I  have  been  favoured  be- 
'  yond  what  I  expeded.'  About  an  hour  be- 
fore her  departure,   flie  faid,   *  Blefled  Father, 

*  look  do  .vn  upon  me,  if  it  be  thy  holy  will.' 
And   fliortly    after   faid,   *   Deare(l  Lord,   take 

*  me  to  ihyfelf;    there  is  joy  in  Heaven,  there 

*  is  joy  in  Heaven.'  After  which  flie  fell  into 
a  fweet  flcep,  and  peaceably  breathed  her  lafl: 
on  the  2^th  of  the  tenth  month,  1778,  aged 
feventy-lour  year,^.  And  on  the  ijth  was  in- 
terred in  friends  burying-giound  in  this  city. 


ji  Tt'flimony  from  Mount-Holly  Monthly-Meet^ 
ing    in   New- Jerfey,    concerning    Rachel 

Li  PPINCOT  T. 

A  FEW  years  before  flie  died  flie  removed 
•*^  from  Haildonfield  to  live  within  the  limits 
of  this  meeting.  She  was  an  exemplary  fvm- 
pathizing  friend.  Her  tefi:imony  in  publick 
meetings  was  fiiort,  yet  favoury  and  feafonable. 
yhe  was   afllided  with  a  cancer  in  her  breaft, 

and 


f 


(    362     ) 

and  In  her  illnefe  exprefled  herfelf  on  this  wife, 

*  Oh!  if  it  be  thy  will,   dear  Father,   remove 

*  me  before  I  be  ofFenfive  to  my  friends,  and 

*  grant   me  patience  to  bear  all  that  thou  in 

*  thy    wifdom    may    (tc    meet    to    afflift    me 

*  with/     To  a  friend  prefent,  flie  faid,   -^  Oh! 

*  that  love  may  increafe  and  abound  in  this 
'  day  of  outward  trials,   and  faithfulnefs    be 

*  kept   to,   is   my    fmcere    defire.     My    trials 

*  through  life  have  been  many,  but  bleffed  be 

*  the  Lord's  holy  name,  when  he  has  appeared, 
'  all  darknefs  has  vanifhed.* 

She  departed  this  life  the  2gt/j  of  the  ninth 
month,  1779,  and  was  interred  in  friends  bu- 
rying-ground  in  Mount-Holly,  aged  80  years. 


ji  Tejimony  from  Wilmington  Monthly^ Meeting 
in  the  county  of  Newcaftle  on  Delaware, 
concerning  David  Ferris. 

TTE^  was  the  fon  of  Zachariah  and  Sarah 
^^  Ferris,  and  was  born  in  Stratford,  in 
Connedicut  government,  New-England,  the 
IC//6  of  the  third  month,  1707.  His  parents 
being  Preibyterians,  brought  him  up  in  that 
way,  his  mother  being  religioufly  difpofed,  and 
much  concerned  for  her  offspring,  frequently 
gave  them  good  advice  and  admonition,  which 
had  fome  good  efFea  with -this  our  friend,  as 
he  hath  often  been  heard  to  exprefs. 

We  find  by  fome  remarks  he  left,  that  about 
the  twelfth  year  of  his  age,  he  was  frequently 
vifited  and  called  unto  by  the  divine  monitor 
in  his  heart,  to  forfakc  evil  and  youthful  vani- 

ties 


(  363  ) 

ties  which  he  delighted  in,  and  by  being  in  a 
good  degree  faithful  thereto,  was  for  a  time 
preferved  from  them.  But  for  want  of  attend- 
ing to  that  which  would  have  continued  to 
preferve  him,  the  pleafures  and  vanities  of  this 
world  got  hold  of  his  mind,  fo  that  he  took 
much  delight  in  airy  and  vain  company, 
mufick,  and  dancing,  and  fuch  like  amufe- 
ments,  until  about  the  twentieth  year  of  his 
age  ;  when  it  pleafed  the  Lord  to  vifit  him 
with  a  fore  fit  of  ficknefs,  which  proved  of 
lafting  advantage  to  him,  as  it  occafioned  him 
to  take  up  a  frefli  refolution,  to  forfake  the 
evil  of  his  ways,  and  turn  to  the  Lord  with  full 
purpofe  of  heart;  which  he  was,  through  mercy 
favoured  with  ability  in  meafure  to  perform. 

He  dill  continued  in  profeflion  with  the 
Preftyterians,  not  having  any  knowledge  of 
friends;  although  by  attending  to  the  teachings 
of  divine  grace,  he  became  convinced  of  the 
principles  we  profefs ;  and  hearing  of  a  yearly- 
meeting  of  friends  to  be  held  on  Long-Ifland, 
went  to  it,  with  defircs  to  difcover  whether 
they  were  a  living  people  or  not,  for  fuch  he 
defired  to  find;  where  he  met  with  what  he 
often  longed  for,  (a  people  that  worfhipped 
God  in  fpirit  and  in  truth)  which  was  a  great 
ftrength  and  confirmation  to  him,  in  forfaking 
the  errors  of  his  youth:  and  by  yielding  obe- 
dience to  thefe  inward  motions,  he  gained 
ftrength,  and  was  more  and  more  enabled  to 
bear  a  faithful  teftimony  to  the  truth  as  it  w^as 
made  known  to  him. 

In  the  fixth  month,  1733,  he  removed  to 
Philadelphia,  where  he  joined  in  religious  fel- 

lowfliip 


II 


\ 


■ill 


(  364  ) 

lowfhip  with  friends;  in  1735  he  married 
Mary  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  iMafley, 
and  in  1737  removed  to  Wilm.ington  in  New- 
cartle  county,  where  he  refided  the  remainder 
of  his  days. 

He  made  fome  appearance  in  the  miniftry 
about  the  year  1734,  but  through  unfaithful- 
nels  to  the  divine  call,  he  from  time  to  time  put 
it  off,  and  remained  in  a  negledof  duty  therein 
upwards  of  twenty  years;  altliough  he  was  often 
warned  both  immediately  and  inltrum.entally 
in  a  remarkable  manner,  which  at  length  pro- 
duced a  fubmifTion  to  the  divine  will, ^fo  that 
in  the  year  1755,  he  was  made  willing  to  give 
up  thereto,  and  found  great  peace. 

He  travelled  through  divers  parts  of  this 
continent  in  the  work  of  the  minirtry,  and  by 
certificates  produced  on  his  return  home,  it 
appeared,  that  his  condudl,  converfation,  and 
labours  abroad,  were  exemplary  and  edifving, 
tending  to  the  advancement  of  truth  and  ri^ht- 
coufnefs.  His  dodrine  was  found,  and^ac- 
ceptablc  to  the  honeil-hearted,  though  (Larp 
againil  the  hypocrite  and  rebellious,  yet  tender 
to  the  mourners  and  difconfolate. 

He  was  very  ferviceaMe  in  our  meetings  for 
dilcipline,  which,  with  other  meetings  he 
diligently  attended,  not  fuffering  his  outward 
affairs  to  hinder  him  from  what  he  believed  to 
be  his  religious  duty.  And  although  he  fol- 
lowed (hop-keeping  for  a  living,  it  was  his 
practice  to  ihut  up  his  lliop  and  take  his  family 
with  him  to  week-day  meetings;  often  expreff- 
ing  for  the  encouragement  of  others,  that  he 
believed  it  was  attend. u  with  a  blellin?.     He 

was 


(  365  ) 

was  free  and  open-hearted  to  entertain  friends, 
and  concerned  to  bring  up  his  children  in 
plainnefs,  and  inflru^lt  them  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord,  believing  that  to  be  the  beft  portion  they 
could  inherit;  remarkably  charitable  to  the 
poor,  and  often  adminiftered  to  their  neceffiries. 

Bodily  weaknefs  attended  him  during  the 
laft  three  years  of  his  life,  and  near  theclofeof 
his  days,  he  was  much  afflid:ed  with  ficknefs, 
which  he  bore  with  patience,  often  expreffing 
his  profpedt  of  his  approaching  end,  and  his 
refignation  therein,  faying,  *  All  is  well.' 
Several  friends  being  prefent,  after  a  time  of 
filence,  he  in  a  lively  manner  repeated  the  ex- 
preffions  of  the  apoftle,  **  To  me,  to  live  is 
•*  Chrift,  and  to  die  is  gain.'' 

He  departed  this  life  the  ^tb  of  the  twelfth 
month,  1779,  aged  upwards  of  feventy-two, 
a  minifter  about  24  years;  on  the  7th  of  the 
fame  month,  his  corps  was  interred  in  our 
burying-ground  in  Wilmington. 


If 


f 


A  Tejiimcny  from  Chefter  Monthly-Meeting  In 
Pennfylvania,    co7icer7iing  Nathan    Yak- 

NALL. 

TJE  was  born  in  theTownfliip  of  Edgemont, 
^^  in  Chefter  county,  Pennfylvania,  the  27/i 
of  the  twelfth  month,  1707-8,  and  continued 
a  member  of  this  monthly-meeting  to  his  end. 

In  the  days  of  his  youth,  he  had  a  ftrong  bias 
to  the  diverlions  of  the  times,  which  when 
given  way  to,  he  felt  the  fecret  reproofs  of  di- 
vine grace,  accompanied  \^ith  great  fervency  of 

fpirit. 


1^' 


Hi 


(   366  ) 

fpirit,    to  witnefs   forgivenefs  through  Chrift 
Jefus;  by  the  operation  of  whofe  fpirit,  he  ob- 
tained fo  great  a  vidtory,  that  he  was  (after  a 
feafon  of  probation)  entruftcd  with  a  difpenfa- 
tion  of  the  gofpel  miniftry,  in  the  exercife  of 
which,  his  dodtrine  was  fliarp  againft  a  ftate  of 
lukew:>rmnefs  about  religion,  as   well  as  open 
profanenefs;   feafonably  inllruftive  to  the  fin- 
cere  feekers,  exhorting  them  not  to  be  fatisfied 
fliort  of  witneffing  a  ftate  of  regeneration.     He 
was  often  led  to  fympathize  with  the  afHided 
in  fpirit,  unto  whom  his  dodrine  dropt  as  the 
dew,  and  was  by  many  efleemcd  a  nurfing  fa- 
ther in  the  meeting    to  which    he  belonged. 
He  feveral  times,  with  the  concurrence  of  his 
friends,  vifited  the  churches  in  this  and  the  ad- 
jacent governments;  was  zealoufly   concerned 
that  meetings  for  difcipline  might  be  maintain- 
ed in  the  fame  authority  wherein  they  were  firfl 
eftablifhed;  and  divers  times  was  engaged  in 
vifiting  families,  for  which  weighty  fervice  he 
was  well  qualified.    His  concern  for  his  child- 
ren was  great,  which  at  times  he  exprefled  under 
the  power  of  divine  love,  adopting  the  language 
of  David,   viz.     ''  My  children,  know  ye  the 
•'  God  of  your  fathers,  and  ferve  him  with  a 
'"  perfed:  heart  and  willing  mind ;    if  ye  feek 
"  him,  he  will  be  found  of  you;  but  if  yc  for* 
**  fake  him,  be  will  caft  you  off  forever." 

For  feveral  years  of  the  latter  part  of  his  life, 
he  was  afflided  with  weaknefs  of  body,  but  not 
io  as  wholly  to  prevent  his  attending  meetings, 
in  which  he  was  at  times  powerfully  drawn 
forth  in  teflimony,  and  publickly  exprefled  at 
Middletown,  a  few  weeks  before  his  confine- 
ment. 


(•367     ) 

ment,  an  apprehenfion.  that  his  work  was  near- 
ly over.  He  was  confined  at  home  near  three 
months,  in  which  time  he  was  vifited  by  many 
friends;  often  had  refrefliing  opportunities  in 
his  room;  in  one  of  which,  (being  about  a 
week  after  his  confinement)  he  was  led  to  fpeak 
of  the  precious  efFeds  of  unity.  At  another 
time,  divers  friends  being  prefent,  after  fome 
filence,    he    exprefled   himfelf    on    this   wife, 

*  How  many  opportunities  of  this  fort  I  may 

*  yet  have,  is  unknown  to  me;  this  morning 

*  as  I  lay  in  bed,  meditating  on  the  things  of 
'  God,  it  appeared  to  me  as  though  my  time 

*  in  this  world  would  be  but  ihort;'  earneflly 
exhorting  thofe  prefent,  to  labour  that  they  and 
their  children  might  be  prepared  to  meet  with 
death.     At  feveral  times  he  fignified,  *  He  was 

*  like  one  that  was  waiting  for  his  change,* 
exprefling  his  refignation,  and  faid,  *  When^ 

*  ever  he  turned  his  mind  inv/ard,  he  felt  great 

*  peace,  and   that  the  thoughts  of  the  grave 

*  was  no  terror  to  him.'  He  gradually  weak- 
ened without  much  pain,  till  about  two  days 
before  his  departure,  and  continued  fenfible  to 
the  lafl,  which  was  on  the  loth  day  of  the 
firfl  month,  1780 ;  and  on  the  i^^tby  his  body 
was  interred  in  friends  burial-ground  at  Middle- 
town,  attended  by  a  large  number  of  friends 
and  neighbours ;  aged  near  feventy-two,  a  mi- 
nifler  about  ;^^  years. 


Ik 


A  Tejiimony 


(     368     ) 

A  TeJIimony  from  Nottingham  Monthly-Meeting 
in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  Rachel  Brown. 

CHE  was  the  wife  of  Thomas  Brown,  of 
^  Weft-Nottingham,  in  Chefter  county,  Penn- 
fylvania,  and  daughter  of  Ralph  and  Phebe 
Needham,  of  Kent  county,  on  Delaware,  edu- 
cated amongft  friends,  fliewing  in  her  younger 
years  an  inclination  towards  piety,  and  after 
her  marriage  was  concerned  at  times  to  fpeak 
in  teftimony  in  our  religious  meetings,  and 
though  not  large,  yet  frequently,  efpecially  in 
the  latter  part  of  her  time,  her  appearances 
were  attended  with  a  lively  favour,  which,  with 
her  exemplary  conduft,  and  zeal  for  the  attend- 
ance of  our  meetings  for  publick  worfliip  and 
maintaining  good  order  in  the  church,  rendered 
her  fervices  ufeful  and  acceptable  among  us ; 
and  towards  the  conclufion  of  her  life,  (lie  ap- 
peared to  be  favoured  with  an  increafe  of  foli- 
dity  and  weight. 

In  her  laft  illnefs,  which  continued  about 
three  weeks,  we  believe  fhe  was  much  bleffed 
with  the  incomes  of  divine  love,  uttering  many 
weighty  expreflions,  fome  of  which  being  wrote 
down,  are  in  fubftance  as  follow;  *  Oh!  that 
I  had  but  power  to  exprefs  the  love  I  feel  to 
flow  towards  the  church,  and  thofe  who  are 
really  joined  thereto.  Oh  !  the  wonderful 
love  of  the  Father,  which  I  feel  to  flow  even 
to  the  outcafts  of  the  houfe  of  Ifrael.*  At 
another  time,  'Oh!  the  ftraitnefs  and  refined- 
nefs  of  the  path  that  leads  to  life  and  happi- 
nefs/  repeating  her  fenfe  of  the  wonderful 

love 


(  369  ) 

love  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  to  his  church, 
vvhich  feemed  then  remarkably  opened  to  her, 
in  an  explanation  of  thofe  expreflions   in  the 
eighth  verfe  of  the  fourth  chapter  of  Solomon's 
Song,   **  Come  with  me  from  Lebanon,    my 
•*  fpoufe,  with  me  from  Lebanon;  look  from 
•'  the  top  of  Amana,  from  the  top  of  Shenir 
*^  and  Hermon,  from  the  Lions  dens,  from  the 
**  mountains  of  the  Leopards."  The  myftery  of 
which  invitation,  we  underftand  flie  fpoke  of 
at  divers  times  in  her  ficknefs,  in  a  lively  man- 
ner, as  it  appeared  to  her  applicable  to  the  di- 
vine call  of  our  Saviour  to  his  followers,  to 
come  out  of  all  high  things,   and  for  his  fake, 
who  was  plain,   meek  and  lowly,    to  leave  or 
forfake  the  loftinefs  and  grandeur  of  this  world, 
things  defirable  to  the  proud  flefhly  part  in  us; 
to  ceafe  alfo  from  fpotted  things^  and  thofe  of 
a  fierce  devouring  nature  :  and,  as  her  laft  tef- 
timony againft  the  fuperfluity  crept  in  among 
friends,  in  relation  to  coflins,  and  drefling  the 
bodies  of  the  dead,    flie  earneftly  defired  that 
her  coffin   might  be   quite   plain,   and  that  no 
needlefs  things  might  be  put  on  or  about  her. 
She  defired  her  love  to  her  friends,   faying,- 

*  I  have  frequently  defired  your  prayers  for  me, 

*  that  I  might  have  an  eafy  paflage,  and  now  I 

*  am  refigned,  and  defire  to  have  no  will  of  my 

*  own,    but  to  wait  with  patience  the  Lord's 

*  time,  and  alfo  for  his  falvation.'  Remaining 
fenfible  after  her  fpeech  failed,  fhe  quietly  de- 
parted this  life,  the  iir;6of  the  fifth  month, 
J780,  in  the  fifty-third  year  of  her  age,  and 
was  interred  in  friends  burying-ground  at  Eaft- 
Nottingham,  on  the  13//6  of  the  fame  month. 

B  b  A  Teftimony 


It 


{     37^    ) 

A  Tejlimony  from  Haddonfield  Mont hly-- Meet-- 
ing  in  New- Jerlcy,  concerning  E  p  h  r  a  i  M 
T  o  M  L  I  N  s  o  N . 

/^UR  faid  friend  was  born  the  2C)th  day  of 
^^  the  eighth  month,  1695,  and  his  parents 
fettling  fomewhat  remote  from  the  then  fettle- 
ment  of  white  inhabitants,  it  appears  by  a  manu- 
fcript  account  he  has  left,  that  he  ufed  to  walk 
on  foot  about  ten  miles  to  meeting ;  and  being 
faithful  to  the  manifellations  of  truth  in  his 
young  years,  was  enabled  to  encourage  his  bro- 
thers to  go  with  him  to  wait  upon  the  Lord. 

He  makes  mention  of  divers  befctments  and 
exercifes  he  met  with  in  his  fpiritual  journey, 
but  by  waiting  in  iHllnefs  upon  the  Lord,  he 
was  pleafed  to  appear  for  his  help  ;  and  he  was 
often  drawn  to  retire  in  the  woods  and  folitary 
places,  when  his  mind  was  at  times  enlarged  in 
prayer  for  himfelf,  and  mankind  univerfally. 

He  was  a  diligent  attender  of  religious  meet- 
ings whilft  of  ability  of  body,  feldom  fuffering 
the  extremity  of  weather,  or  his  temporal  con- 
cerns, to  prevent  him  from  the  difcharge  of  his 
duty  in  this  refpeft;  although  he  lived  at  a  con- 
liderable  diltance  from  the  particular  meeting 
to  which  he  belonged,  and  was  an  exemplary 
humble  waiter  therein,  for  the  arifing  of  that 
life,  which  is  the  crown  of  our  aflemblies. 

He  was  an  appointed  elder  for  the  meeting  at 
Haddonfield,  and  conduced  uprightly  in  his 
ftation,  which  rendered  him  acceptable  to  his 
friends,  being  often  employed  in  the  affairs  of 
truths  and  was  feveral  times  engaged  in  that 

weighty 


(     Zl"^     ) 

weighty  fervice  of  vifiting  families,  in  the  per- 
formance whereof,  he  was  fometimes  fervently 
and  awfully  drawn  forth  in  fupplication  to  the 
Father  of  mercies. 

He  was  juft  in  his  dealings  among  men,  re- 
markably cautious  in  expreffion,  which,  joined 
with  a  meek  and  pious  life,  rendered  him  a  pat- 
tern among  his  fellow-believers,  worthy  of 
imitation  -,  and  his  light  fo  fliined  forth  before 
men,  that  others  feeing  his  good  works,  were 
made  to  acknowledge  he  had  attained  the  marks 
of  a  true  difciple  and  believer  in  Chrift. 

He  departed  this  life  on  the  zd  of  the  eighth 
month,  17S0,  having  left  a  good  favour,  and  we 
doubt  not  is  made  an  inheritor  of  that  incor- 
ruptible crown  of  righteoufnefs,  which  is  laid 
up  for  all  thofe  who  keep  the  faith,  and  love 
the  appearance  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift. 

He  was  buried  in  friends  burial-ground  at 
Haddonfield,  attended  by  a  confiderable  num- 
ber of  friends  and  others,  on  \\\t\th  day  of  the 
fame  month;  being  in  the  eighty-fifth  year  of 
his  age. 


A  Tefimony  from  Uwchlan  Monthly-Meeting  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  Susanna  Light- 
foot. 


T>  Y  accounts  we  have  had,  fhe  was  born  at 
-*^  Grange,  in  the  county  of  Antrim,  in  the 
North  of  Ireland,  the  \Qth  of  the  firft  month 
(old  ftile)  1719-20,  defcended  of  religious  pa- 
rents profeffing  the  truth   (John  and  Margaret 

B  b  2  Hudfon.) 


(     372     ) 

Hudfon.'^  Pier  father  dying  in  low  circum- 
ftancci-  \vhen  fhe  was  young,  fhe  was  placed  out 
by  her  mother  to  earn  her  living  by  her  own  la- 
bour, who  ncverthelefs  fought  a  portion  in  the 
truth  for  her  daughter,  eiteeming  it  the  beft 
riches;  and  lived  to  fee  the  defire  of  her  heart 
in  that  refpeft,  in  a  degree  accompliflied.  For 
the  tendering  viiitations  of  divine  love  being 
mercifully  extended  to  this  our  dear  friend  early 
in  life,  (he  h;  ppily  cloftd  in  therewith,  and 
witnefled  an  advancement  in  piety  and  godli- 
nefs.  Such  was  her  love  to  the  truth,  and  zeal 
for  the  attendance  of  meetings  when  young, 
fhe  would  go  many  miles  on  foot  to  them  ;  and 
being  an  honeft  fervant,  laboured  hard  to  make 
up  the  time  to  her  employer.  In  thefe  times, 
her  cup  was  often  made  to  overflow  with  the 
goodnefs  of  the  Lord  to  her  foul  ;  which  Ihe 
has  frequently  been  heard  to  fpeak  of  with  ten- 
dernefs  of  fpirit,  for  the  encouragement  of  fer- 
vants  and  others  in  low  circumftances ;  and 
that  the  rich  and  full,  who  have  horfes  to  ride 
on,  and  are  blelfed  both  with  the  necelfaries 
and  conveniencies  of  life,  might  prize  their 
time  and  privileges,  and  bring  forth  fruits  ade- 
quateto  the  favours  conferred  on  them. 

A  difpenlation  of  the  gofpel  was  committed 
to  her  to  preach,  to  w^hich  flie  gave  up  in  the 
feventeenth  year  of  her  age;  and  we  have  reafon 
to  think,  ihe  grew  therein  as  a  willow  by  the 
water  courfe  :  for  in  the  exercife  thereof,  with 
the  unity  of  her  friends  at  home,  (lie  came 
over  to  this  country  with  Ruth  Courtny,  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  year  1737,  and  paid  a  re- 
ligious vifit  to  friends  generally  on  this  conti- 
nent. 


(  373  ) 
nent,  we  believe  to  good  fuisfadllon;  fome  of 
us  having  caufe  to  remember  her,  and  the 
fweetnefs  of  her  fpirit  at  that  time.  With  the 
lame  friend  flie  alfo  travelled  in  England  and 
Wales,  174c,  fpending  upwards  of  fifteen 
months  there  in  the  fcrvice  of  truth. 

On  the  z^th  of  the  ninth  month  1-742,  flie 
was  married  to  Jeffe  Hatton  ;  in  which  Aate, 
Ae  for  many  years  underwent  great  outward 
difficulties,  as  well  as  inward  exercifes  and 
trials,  on  account  of  the  caufe  and  teftimony  of 
truth  which  flie  had  efpoufed,  and  was  favoured 
with  firmnefs  to  hold  her  integrity  thereto ; 
which  flie  has  been  heard  to  "commemorate 
with  thankfulnefs  to  the  Lord  her  deliverer, 
rendering  the  praiie  to  him  alone,  who,  even 
during  that  trying  diipenfation,  opened  her 
way  to  labour  confiderably  in  his  caufe  in 
many  places,  as  in  Ireland,  bcotland,  and  again 
in  England. 

About  the  year  1754,  flie  removed  with  her 
hufband  and  family,  and  fettled  in  Waterford, 
where  flie  was  made  truly  near  to  friends,  and 
ufeful  in  the  Lord's  hand. 

In  the  year  1759  her  hulband  died;  and  in 
1760,  being  conilrained  by  the  love  of  truth, 
and  having  the  concurrence  of  her  friends  at 
hom.e,  and  of  the  meeting  of  miniftcrs  and 
elders  in  London,  flie  entered  on  a  fecond  viSt 
to  America,  which  for  many  years  had  reftcd 
weightily  on  her  mind.  In  the  ninth  month 
of  the  fame  year  flie  arrived  here,  and  vifited 
friends  meetings  generally  throughout  this 
continent,  as  far  fouth  as  Ch>arIellon,  in  South- 
Carolina,  and  to  the  eaftern. parts  of  New-Eng- 

B  b  3  land. 


jf 


m 


(  374  ) 
land,  to  the  comfort  and  latisfadlon  of  friends, 
leaving  feals  of  her  miniftry  in  many  places ; 
and  after  a  labour  of  upwards  of  two  years, 
embarked  for  England.  In  the  fummer  fol- 
lowing flie  vifited  Munfter  province  in  Ireland. 
And  on  the  z^th  of  the  ninth  1763,  flie  was 
married  to  our  friend  Thomas  Lightfoot ;  and 
continuing  fervent  in  fpirit  for  the  difcharg^ 
of  her  religious  duties,  finiflied  her  vifit  to  that 
nation  by  Midfummer  following. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  eighth  month  1764, 
Ihe  embarked  at  Cork  with  her  huiband  and 
family,  in  order  to  fettle  here,  and  arrived  in 
the  ninth  month  following,  from  which  time 
ihe  belonged  to  our  monthly-meeting,  whereof 
Ihe  was  a  ferviceable  member ;  likewife  was 
engaged  in  the  love  of  the  gofpel,  to  vifit  many 
of  the  meetings  of  friends  in  this  and  the 
adjacent  governments,  alfo  the  neighbouring 
yearly-meetings;  and  in  the  year  1774>  went 
into  New-England,  with  our  friend  Eliza- 
beth Robinfon  from  Great  Britain;  in  which 
vifits  her  company  and  fervices  were  weighty, 
ftrengthening,  and  eftablilhing  to  friends. 

At  divers  meetings  previous  to  the  breaking 
forth  of  the  prefent  calamity,  ihe  had,  in  an 
awful  manner,  to  proclaim  the  approach  of  a 
ftormy  day,  which  would  fliake  the  fandy 
foundations  of  men,  and  manv  of  the  formal 
profeflbrs  in  our  fociety  fhould  be  blown  away. 
The  laft  journey  flie  took,  was  to  the  yearly- 
meeting  at  Third-Haven,  in  Maryland,  held 
in  the  fixth  month  1779,  wherein  deep  wading 
and  wafting  exercife,  w^ith  feeblenefs  Of  body, 
was  her  lot.     Soon  after  her  return  home,  a  fit 

of 


i 


(    lis    ) 

of  illnefs  contributed  much  to  the  breaking  of 
her  conftitution  ;  but  the  balm  of  fweet  peace 
of  mind  was  ftill  her  comfort  and  fupport.  She 
recovei*ed  fo  as  to  get  abroad  again  to  her  own 
and  many  other  meetings  about  the  country, 
and  to  our  lall:  yearly-meeting  in  Philadelphia, 
though  in  a  weak  ftatc  of  health.  The  laft  fhe 
attended  was  our  feled:  meeting  at  Uwchlan, 
the  i-]th  of  the  firft  month  1 7S 1 ,  under  an  in- 
creafing  weaknefs  of  body,  but  to  the  comfort 
of  friends  then  afiembled. 

She  was  an  excellent  example  of  fteady  wait- 
ing upon  the  Lord  in  filence,  and  out  of  meet- 
ings folid  and  grave  in  her  deportment,  in- 
ftrudlive  and  weighty  in  converfation,  watch- 
ful over  her  own  family  for  their  good,  bearing 
her  teftimony  againft  wrong  things  in  them  as 
well  as  others;  of  a  difcerning  fpirit;  and 
when  her  lot  was  caft  in  families  as  well  as 
meetings,  was  often  led  to  feel  for  and  fym- 
pathize  with  the  hidden  fuffering  feed.  Hav- 
mg  paiTed  through  the  deep  waters  of  afflic- 
tion herlelf,  her  eye  was  not  unufed  to  drop  a 
tear  for  and  with  others  in  diftrefs,  either  in 
body  or  mind,  and  fhe  rejoiced  in  comforting 
and  doing  them  good. 

She  was  a  living  and  powerful  miaifter  of 
the  word,  careful  not  to  break  filence  in  meet- 
ings, until  favoured  with  a  frefh  anointing  from 
the  Holy  One;  whereby  (he  was  preferved  clear 
in  her  openings,  awful  and  weighty  in  prayer, 
her  voice  being  folemn  and  awakening  under 
the  baptizing  power  of  truth. 

Many  were  the  heavenly  feafons  with  which 
ilie  was  favoured  during  a  lingering  illnefs,  in 

B  b  4,  fom,Q 


(    376    ) 

fome  of  which  (he  was  led  to  exprefs  herfclf  in 
a  livtly  edifying  manner,  and  often,  with  di- 
vine pertinence  to  the  ftates  of  thofe  who  were 
prefent;  as  alfo  her  belief  that  {he  Ihoiild 
join  the  fpirits  of  the  jufi:  made  perfed:,  in  that 
city,  whofe  walls  are  falvation,  and  her  gates 
praife. 

One  evening,  after  a  folemn  filence,  flie 
broke  forth  in  a  fweet  melody,  faying,  '  I  have 

*  had   a  profpedl  this  evening,  of  joining  the 

*  heavenly  hoft,    in   finging   praifes   to  Zion's 

*  King:    for  which  favour,  my   foul   and    all 

*  that  is  fenfible  within  me,  magnifies  that 
'  arm  which  hath  been  with  me  from  my  in- 

*  fant  days,  and  cafl  up  a  way  where  there  was 

*  no  way,  both  by  fea  and  land.'  She  then 
fignified  what  an  exercife  flie  had  laboured 
under  for  the  good  of  fouls,  and  how  it 
wounded  her  very  life,  to  behold  the  profeflbrs 
of  Chriftianity  acting  inconfiftent  with  the  ex-  > 
ample  of  a  crucified  Saviour. 

She  frequently  fupplicated  the  Lord  for  the 
continuance  of  his  help,  and  that  fhe  might  be 
endued   with  patience,    adding,    *  Oh !    what 

*  would  become  of  me  now,  if  I  had  a  wouod- 

*  ed   confcience  ?   The   work  with  me  is    not 

*  now  to  do.    This  winnowing  day  muft  come 

*  clofer  to  the  dwellings  of  fome  than  ever  it 

*  has  done,  even  to  the  fhaking  of  them  from 

*  the  gods  of  filver  and  of  gold,  hay  or  (lub- 
'  ble.' 

The  quarterly-meeting  being  nigh,  fhe  urged 
her  hulhand    to  leave  her,   faying,  *  There  is 

*  nothing  yields  fuch  a  comfort  on  a  languilh- 

*  ing  bed  as  an  evidence  of  having  performed 

*  our 


(     377    ) 

*  our  religious  duties  to  the  beft  of  our  under- 

*  ftanding,  I  can  fpeak  it  at  this  time  by  ex- 

*  perience/  She  fpoke  of  the  necefiity  there 
was  for  friends  to  guard  againft  keeping  in 
their  families  perfons  of  corrupt  morals  and 
evil  communication,  which  hath  a  tendency 
to  poifon  the  tender  minds  of  their  children; 
and  fignified  her  apprehenfion,  that  fome  pa- 
rents were  ftaincd  with  the  blood  of  their  otf- 
fpring  thereby.  At  another  time,  fhe  encou- 
raged fome  that  were  prefent,  to  be  faithful 
to  the  Lord,  and  to  keep  to  their  gifts,  adding, 

*  Oh  !    what   a  fine  thing  it  is  to  fit  lively  in 

*  meetings,  and  to  witnefs  the  holy  oil  to  run 

*  as  from  vefl'el  to  veflel.*  Feeling  herklf  grow 
worfe,  (he  gave  diredions  about  the  laying-out 
her  body,  that  it  (hould  be  with  exemplary 
plainnefs. 

One  morning,  in  the  hearing  of  a  few  friends, 
file  cautioned  againft  a  light  chafiy  fpirit  get- 
ting up  in  a  fhew  of  religion,  and  was  led  in 
a  remarkable  manner,  to  utter  reproofs  againft 
the  ungodly  Quaker,  fignifyirig  a  terrible  day 
would  fooncr  or  later  overtake  fuch. 

She  exprelTed  herklf  one  day  nearly  as  fol- 
lows,  *  When  I  have  fat  down   in  our   meet- 

*  ings,  and  caft  my  eye  over  the  people,  how 

*  have  I  been  grieved  to  fee  the  haughtinefs  of 

*  the  young  men,    and  the  folly  of  the  young 

*  women,  looking  one  upon  another,  as  if  there 

*  was  nothing  to  do;  coming  to  meetings  juft 
^  to  fee  and  be  feen.    Oh!    will  not  the  Lord 

*  vifit  for   thefe  things  ?  Yea,  farely  he   will, 

*  and   call   to  an   account   thofe  haughty  fons 

*  and  forgetful  daughters.    I  haye  been  griev:  d 

*  with 


"k 


i 


(     378     ) 

'  With  It  when   I  have  fat  as  with  my  lips 

*  fealed;  and  yet  there  is  a  remnant   that  are 

*  near  to  my  life  among  the  youth/ 

At  another  time,  being  raifed  by  divine  aid 
from  great  weaknefs,  flic  thus  exprelTed  her- 
felf,  **  The  Lord  will  fearch  Jerulalem,  he  will 
**  blow  away  the  chaff;  but  the  wheat.  Oh  ! 
"  the  weighty  wheat  he  will  gather  into  his 
**  holy  garner.  It  feems  to  me,  that  many  of 
*'  the  better  fort  are  haftening  to  their  graves. 
**  I  do  not  repine  at  my  affliftions,  for  how 
"  fmall  are  they,  compared  with  his  who  fuf- 
**  fered  for  us  all,  when  he  faid,  ^*  My  God, 
**  my  God,  why  haft  thou  forfaken  me?"  Oh 
**  the  profeiTors  of  truth  !  How  often  have  I 
**  thought  of  their  great  privileges  !  How  of- 
**  ten  have  they  been  called  unto  and  watered! 
**  And  yet  remain  unredeemed  ;  there  is  much 
**  impurity  about  the  fkirts  of  fome  ;  if  they 
**  refufe  they  will  be  rejedted,  and  others  called 
*'  in  ;  he  will  have  his  table  filled,  he  will 
'*  have  a  people  that  will  ftand  for  his  name/ 
After  fome  time,  afking  for  a  friend,  ihe  faid^^ 

*  I  have  fomething   to  fay  to   thee  about  the 

*  city;   the  folly,  I  would  not  willingly  call 

*  it  iniquity,  but  upon  a  ftrifl:  examination  I 

*  believe  it  may  be  fo  called,  of  laying  out  their 

*  dead,  has  been  a  burden  to  mc  many  times 

*  of  late  when  I  have  been  there.    I  have  won- 

*  dered  at  the  pomp  and  vanity,  and  the  coft, 

*  how  much  for  no  good  purpofe  at  all,  but  to 

*  be  buried  with  the  mouldering  body.     How 
^  much  better  would   it  be,   to  fpare  this  ex- 

*  pence  for  the  benefit  of  fome  poor  families  ? 

*  1  did  not  know  but  I  fliould  have  mentioned 

'  it 


(     379     ) 

*  it  at  the  yearly-meeting,  but  I  got  enfeebled, 
^  and  I  prayed  it  might  reft  on  fome  others, 

*  that  it  mi^ht  be  done  then  or  at  fome  other 

*  time.' 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  fame  day,  flie  men- 
tioned fome  of  the  words  of  Amos,  **  I  was 
'*  no  prophet,  nor  a  prophet's  fon,  but  I  was  a 
**  gatherer  of  fycamore  fruit."  *  Low  employ- 
ments,* faid  flie,  '*  but  the  I/Ord  raifeth  the 
*'  poor  out  of  the  duft,  and  lifteth  up  the 
"  beggar  from  the  dunghill  to  fit  among  prin- 
**  ces."  I  have  been  one  of  forrows,  and  much 

*  acquainted  with  grief.      It  is  true,   this  has 

*  been  a  plealant  Ipot  to  live  in,  and  with  an 

*  agreeable    companion,    and  it   was    nothing 

*  fliort  of  the  good   hand  that  thus  provided 
'  for  me;   but  I  have  never  forgot  the  worm- 

*  wood  and  the  gall.* 

She  continued  quiet  and  fenfible  the  remain- 
der of  her   time,   faying,   *  Oh  deareft  Lord  ! 

*  take  me  to   thyfelf,  even   into   thy  heavenly 
^   kingdom  ;   take  me  into  Paradife,  for  I  long 

*  to  be  with  thee  there.'  After  expreffing  the 
defire  of  her  foul  refpeding  one  of  her  fons,  flie 
took  leave  of  her  hulband  and  others  prefent 
with  a  look  of  endearing  love,  and  expired  a- 
bout  the  fourth  hour  in  the  morning,  like  one 
falling  into  an  eafy  flumber,  on  the  8//6  of  the 
fifth  month,  1781,  and  was  interred  the  11  t/j 
at  Uwchlan,  attended  by  a  very  great  concourfe 
of  people ;  on  which  occafion  a  meeting  was 
held,  and  was  indeed  a  good  meeting,  agree- 
able to  a  profped  flie  had  in  the  early  part  of 
her  illnefs  3  aged  fixty-one,  and  a  minifter  44. 

years. 

j4  Te/limcny 


»i< 


m 


ii 


(     38o     ) 

A  Tejiimony  from  Evefliam  Monthly^Meetlng  in 
New-Jerfey,  concerning  Thomas  Evans. 

TTE  was  born  the  \^th  day  of  the  fecond 
^^  month,  1693,  and  defcended  from  parents 
profeiring  the  truth,  whole  religious  care  over 
him,  co-operating  with  the  principle  of  divine 
grace  implanted  in  his  mind,  was  the  happy 
means  of  fixing  his  attention,  not  on  a  cor- 
ruptible inheritance,  but  on  that  which  is  in- 
corruptible, eternal  in  the  heavens,  and  fadeth 
not  away.  And  as  he  was  in  a  good  deo-ree 
faithful  to  the  manifeftation  of  light  afforded 
him,  about  the  twenty-fifth  year  of  his  a^^e, 
he  entered  on  the  work  of  the  miniftry,  in 
which  he  diligently  laboured,  vifiting,  with 
the  concurrence  of  his  friends,  divers  parts  of 
this  continent.  He  was  often  led  fenfibly  to 
declare  of  the  love  and  goodnefs  of  the  Lord  to 
thofe  who  diligently  wait  upon  and  feek  him  ; 
and  is  worthy  of  remembrance  for  his  fleady 
example  in  the  attendance  of  meetings. 

In  his  advanced  years,  he  had  divers  painful 
times  ofillnefs,  but  was  admirably  preferved 
through  them  without  the  help  of  medicine. 
He  was  temperate  in  his  living;  and  that  in- 
nocency  of  life,  meeknefs,  and  love  which  at- 
tended him  in  his  early  years,  fhined  clear  in 
his  latter  days,  being  often  favoured  (when  his 
underftanding  in  worldly  matters  appeared  to 
fail  him)  in  a  lively  manner  to  fpeak  to  the 
ftates  of  the  people  when  religioufly  affembled, 
which  made  him  near  to  many  friends.  He 
was  a  peace-maker  amongft  his  neighbours  and 

friends. 


(  381  ) 

friends,  and  earneftly  engaged  for  the  univerfal 
advancement  of  true  peace  amongft  mankind; 
bearing  a  faithful  teftimony  againft  war,  and 
againft  the  unneceffary  diftillation  and  ufe  of 
fpirituous  liquors,  and  the  prevailing  and  fool- 
ifh  cuftoms  and  fafliions  of  the  world. 

In  his  laft  illnefs,  he  was  preferved  in  great 
patience  and  refignation  through  much  bodily 
pain,    fignifying   his    '  Satisfadion  in   having 

*  difcharged  his   religious  duty  ;   and  that   all 

*  looked  pleafant  before  him,  and  nothing  re- 

*  mained  for  him  to  do,  unlefs  the  Lord  (hould 

*  again    pleafe   to  raife   him,   which   was    hid 

*  from  his  fight ;  but  that  he  was  quite  re- 
'  figned  to  his  will  in  all  things.' 

In  thefe  trying  hours,  wherein  he  was  ena- 
bled to  drop  many  comfortable  and  edifying 
fentences  to  thofe  who  vifited  him,  he  appeared 
to  be  favoured  with  a  foretafte  of  that  true  peace 
which  is  laid  up  in  ftore  for  all  them  who  hold 
out  to  the  end  in  well-doing. 

He  departed  this  life,  the  21/ of  the  firft 
month,  1783,  and  was  interred  at  Evefham  on 
the  z\thy  aged  near  ninety,  and  a  minifter  a- 
bout  65  years. 


A  Teftimony  from  the  Monthly-Meeting  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, concerning  Anthony  Benezet, 
an  elder y  deceafed. 

/^N  this  occafion,  we  may  pertinently  adopt 
^^  the  lamenting  addrefs  of  the  difciples  at 
Joppa,  to  the  apoftle  Peter,  on  the  death  of 

Dorcas 


ti 


€i 


€C 


€C 


ti 


(     382     ) 

Dorcas  their  fifter,  who  had  been  "  Full  of 
good  works,  and  alms-deeds  which  fhe  had 
done.  And  all  the  widows  flood  by  him 
weeping,  and  fhewing  the  coats  and  gar- 
ments which  Dorcas  had  made  while  flie 
was  with  them.'*  A(5ls  ix.  37.  39. 
He  was  born  in  France,  at  a  town  named 
St.  Quintin,  in  the  province  of  Picardy,  on 
the  3iy?  of  that  now  called  the  firft  month, 
1713.  At  which  time  Romilh  bigotry  and 
fuperftition  fubjeded  the  Proteftants  in  that 
kingdom  to  very  rigorous  perfecutions,  which 
occafioned  many  thoufands  of  them  to  leave  it, 
among  whom  were  the  parents  of  our  deceafed 
friend,  who  removed  from  thence  on  the  3^  of 
the  fecond  month  called  February,  1715,  and 
after  fpending  a  few  months  in  Holland,  pro- 
ceeded to  London,  where  thev  refided  about 
fixteen  years,  and  in  the  month  called  Novem- 
ber, 1731,  they  arrived  in  this  city,  being  v/ell 
recommended  by  divers  friends. 

In  the  fifth  month,  1736,  he  was  married 
to  our  friend  Joyce  Marriott,  of  this  city,  in 
whom  he  experienced  a  truly  religious  help- 
meet, almoft  to  the  end  of  forty-eight  years. 
Being  dilHitisfied  with  following  mercantile 
bufinefs,  to  which  he  was  brought  up,  he  de- 
clined that  occupation,  and  fought  other  em- 
ployments for  the  maintenance  of  his  family ; 
and  they  alfo  engaging  more  of  his  time  and 
attention  than  he  found  confillent  with  his 
peace  of  mind,  he  willingly  embraced  an  op- 
portunity which  offered  favourable  to  his  in- 
clination and  concern  for  the  inftruftion  of 
youth  in  ufeful  learning,  by  fupplying  a  va- 
cancy 


(  383  ) 

cancy  which  happened  in  the  year  1742  in  the 
Englifli  fchool  under  the  diredion  of  friends 
in  this  city  ;  which  by  their  encouragement  he 
undertook,  and  continued  in  this  employment 
through  the  remaining  part  of  his  life,  except 
a  fmall  intermiffion  of  lefs  than  two  years, 
which  he  fpent  at  Burlington,  where  he  fought 
for  greater  retirement,  and  more  leifure  to  at- 
tend to  his  religious  concern  for  the  general 
good  of  mankind  :  but  did  not  find  his  mind  at 
the  eafe  he  defired,  until  he  returned  to  refume 
his  employment  of  fchool-keeping  in  this  city ; 
where  he  experienced  greater  opportunity  of  ex- 
tenfive  ufefulnefs,  in  which  he  was  afiiduoufly 
diligent,  fuffering  a  fmall  portion  of  natural 
reft  to  fatisfy  him  ;  employing  his  pen  day  and 
night  in  the  compilation  of  books  and  other 
writings  for  profitable  inftrudion  on  religious 
fubjeds,  chiefly  extraded  from  various  authors 
of  eminence,  particularly  to  inculcate  the  peace- 
able temper  and  dodrines  of  the  gofpel,  in  op- 
pofition  to  the  fpirit  of  war  and  bloodflied,  as 
alfo  to  expofe  the  flagrant  injuftice  of  flavery 
and  the  abomination  of  the  African  trade  ;  la- 
menting the  forrowful  defedion  of  profeffed 
Chriftians  in  thefe  refpeds,  which  deeply 
grieved  his  tender  heart.  The  diftribution  of 
his  labours  have  been  found  produdive  of  much 
good ;  to  render  which  more  extenfive,  he  held 
a  correfpondence  with  fuch  perfons  in  various 
parts  of  Europe  and  America,  as  united  with 
him  in  the  like  concern,  or  were  fo  circum- 
ftanced,  as  to  be  likely  to  promote  his  pious 
well-meant  views. 

On 


ii 


(  384  ) 

On  the  late  ceflation  of  war  between  Great 
Britain  and  America,  apprehending  the  revival 
of  commerce  would  be  likely  to  renew  the  ig- 
nominious trade  to  Africa  for  flaves,  which  had 
been  in  fome  meafure  obftruded,  among  other 
endeavours  to  difluade  from  this  cruel  tratfick, 
and  having  entertained  a  favourable  opinion  of 
the  difpofition  and  fentiments  of  the  Queen  of 
Great  Britain,  hoping  her  influence  might  be 
ufeful  to  difcourage  it,  he  was  religioufly  in- 
duced to  tranfmit  her  a  letter  in  1783  on  the 
fubjeft,  with  a  prefent  of  a  few  books  of  a 
pious  tendency,  which  he  committed  to  the 
care  of  two  of  his  friends  in  London,  to  de- 
liver in  fuch  manner  as  they  (hould  judge  to 
be  moft  fuitable.  This  fervice  being  performed 
foon  after  his  deceafc  ;  one  of  them,  by  a  letter 
received  within  a  few  days  part,  informs  his 
friend  here,  that  the  letter  from  him  with  the 
books,  had  been  delivered  to  the  Queen,  who 
on  reading  it,  exprefled  her  perfuafion,  *  That 

*  the  writer  was  truly  a  good  man,   and  that 

*  (lie   kindly  accepted   his  prefent,'    engaging 
alfo  to  read  the  books. 


(A  copy  of  the  letter  is  hereunto  annexed.) 

He  was  employed  the  two  lafl:  years  of  his 
life,  as  teacher  in  the  fchool  for  the  inftrudtion 
of  the  black-people  and  their  offspring,  ella- 
bliflied  and  fupported  by  the  voluntary  con- 
tributions of  friends  in  this  city,  which  by  the 
indifpolition  of  the  former  teacher,  had  lain 
fome  time  vacant,  undertaking  this  employ- 
ment 


(    38j:    ) 

ment  from  an  apprehenfion  of  religious  duty, 
and  an  earneft  folicitude  that  they  might  be 
better  qualified  rightly  to  enjoy  the  freedom  to 
which  great  numbers  of  them  had  been  of  late 
reftored;  for  which  purpofe  he  furrendered, 
with  the  confent  of  his  friends,  his  other 
fchool,  though  to  the  manifeft  difadvantage  of 
his  worldly  intereft. 

His  confinement  by  his  lafl:  illnefs  was  not 
of  long  continuance,  although  he  had  not  been 
in  perfed  health  for  more  than  a  year  before; 
but  being  of  a  lively  difpofition,  and  remark- 
ably temperate  in  his  food,  which  was  princi- 
pally vegetables,  he  attended  his  fchool  and 
other  affairs  until  the  increafe  of  his  diforder 
difabled  him. 

He  endured  the  bodily  pains  he  fuffered 
with  much  patience,  and  was  favoured  with 
great  calmnefs  and  compofure,  being  fenfible 
of  his  approaching  diflblution,  receiving  his 
numerous  vifitors  with  much  kindnefs,  but 
exprefled  little  to  any  of  them  concerning 
himfelf,  abiding  under  that  humble  diffidence 
which  was  confpicuous  in  his  condudl  through 
life,  confidering  himfelf  but  as  an  unprofitable 
fcrvant.  A  fliort  time  before  his  confinement, 
in  a  familiar  converfation,  he  took  occafion  to 
remark,  that  had  he  attended  with  due  care  to 
the  profpedts  of  duty  given  him  in  his  younger 
years,  he  thought  it  was  probable  he  might 
have  been  made  inftrumental  for  more  ex  ten- 
five  ufefulnefs  to  mankind. 

On  the  day  preceding  his  death  he  took  an 
affecfting  farewell  of  his  wife,  who  was  then 
alfo  in  a  weak  infirm  ftate,  when  he  reminded 

Cc  h-r 


4 


(     386     ) 

her  of  the  afteftion  and  concord  which  had 
been   maintained   between   them  through   the 
courfe  of  their  union  ;  and  having  fome  time 
before    reviewed    and   executed    his    will,    in 
which  he  had  devifed  his  whole  eftate  to  her 
during  her  natural  life  (excepting  his  fmall  li- 
brary and  other  books),  and  on  her  deceafe  to 
certain  trullees,   the  income  thereof  to  be  ap- 
plied to  the  life  and  fupport  of  the  Negroe- 
fchool.     He  had  in  the  time  of  his  illnefs  added 
a  codicil,   confirming  the   fame,  with  a  refer- 
vation  of  fome  fmall   legacies  to  a  few  of  his 
relations,    indigent    widows,    and  other   poor 
perfons  ;   and  having  copies  tranfcribed,  with 
inftrudions  for   the  diibibution  of  the  books 
he  had  on  hand,  and  for  binding  divers  trads 
on  religious  fubjeds  which  remained  in  fheets, 
he  delivered  them  to  fome  of  his  executors  for 
their  government ^  the  laft  of  which  he  put 
into  the  hands  of  one  of  them  not  more  than 
three  hours  before    he    departed,   which    was 
about  fun-fet  on  the  3^  day  of  the  fifth  month 
1784,  being  the  day  of  our  quarterly-meeting; 
and  on  the  ^t/j  day  of  the  fame  he  was  buried 
in  our  grave-yard  in  this  city ;  on  which  fo- 
lemn  occafion,  a  great  concourfe  of  inhabitants 
of  all  ranks  and  profeflions  attended,  manifeft- 
ing  the  univerfil  efteem  in  which  he  was  held, 
among  whom  alfo  feveral  hundred  black-people 
in  like  manner  teftified  the  grateful  fenfe  they 
had  of  the  benefits   derived  to  them,  through 
his  ads  of  friendfhip  and  pious  labours  on  their 
behalf. 

Unwearied  in  his  endeavours  to  promote  the 
cflential  interelt  and  well-being   of  men,    it 

feemed 


(  387  ) 

feemed  as  his  *  Meat  and  drink'  to  tread  the 
path  of  his  Divine  Mailer,  in  *  Going  about 
'  doing  good.'  His  labours  for  the  relief  of 
the  afflided  and  opprefled,  particularly  that 
much  injured  people,  the  enflaved  Africans  and 
their  defcendants,  having  been  unabated  and 
fuccefsful,  beyond  almoft  any  advocate  they 
have  had  in  his  time,  devoting  no  fmall  por- 
tion of  his  life  and  worldly  fubftance,  in  vindi- 
cation of  their  violated  rights  as  men,  and  their 
inftrudion  in  things  relating  to  their  temporal 
and  everlafting  intereft. 

By  an  innocent  and  unreferved  affiibility,  he 
gained  efleem  and  acceptance  among  all  clafles 
of  men  ;  that  love  of  his  neighbour,  which  was 
confpicuous  throughout  his  communication, 
having  a  foftening  effed,  even  on  rough  un- 
tradiblc  fpirits ;  and  fo  generally  did  his  ufeful 
life  and  inoffenfive  demeanour  engage  the  af- 
fcdions  and  regard  of  all  ranks  of  the  people 
among  whom  he  dwelt,  that  at  his  deceafe, 
they  fwcmed  to  unite  in  one  common  fentiment 
and  declaration,  of  ''  Bleffed  are  the  dead 
•*  which  die  in  the  Lord/' 

He  wanted  neither  abilities  nor  opportunity 
for  ufing  endeavours  in  the  acquirement  of 
wealth  ;  but  his  moderation  in  this,  as  in  other 
refpedj,  w^as  uniformly  manifefl  to  all  obfcr- 
vers ;  being  with  little  more  than  a  bare  com- 
petency, rich  and  liberal  beyond  moft  of  thofe, 
who  are  encumbered  with  the  fuperabundant 
goods  of  this  life. 

This  is  a  fummary  narrative  of  the  ufeful 
life  of  our  valuable  friend  ;  and  as  we  mean  not 
to  extol  the  inftrument,   but  to  render  to  the 

C  c  2  Lord 


i 


(     383     ) 

Lord  our  creator,  the  praife  of  his  own  works ; 
let  this  account  fuffice,  and  excite  in  each 
mind  a  due  obfcrvance  of  thatgofpcl  monition, 
**  Go  and  do  thou  likewife." 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  his  letter  to  the 
Queen,  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  teftimony, 
viz. 

^0  Charlotte,  S^ueen  of  Great-Britain, 

IMPRESSED  with  a  fenfc  of  religious 
duty,  and  encouraged  by  the  opinion  generally 
entertained  of  thy  benevolent  difpofition  to 
fuccour  the  diftrelTed,  I  take  the  liberty,  very 
refpeftfully,  to  offer  to  thy  perufal  fome  trafts 
which  I  believe  faithfully  defcribe  the  fuffering 
condition  of  many  hundred  thoufands  of  our 
fellow  creatures  of  the  African  race,  great 
numbers  of  whom,  rent  from  every  tender 
connexion  in  life,  are  annually  taken  from 
their  native  land,  to  endure,  in  the  American 
iflands  and  plantations,  a  moft  rigorous  and 
cruel  flavery,  whereby  many,  very  many  of 
them,  are  brought  to  a  melancholy  and  un- 
timely end. 

When  it  is  confidered,  that  the  inhabitants 
of  Great  Britain,  who  are  themfelves  fo  emi- 
nently bleffed  in  the  enjoyment  of  religious 
and  civil  liberty,  have  long  been,  and  yet  are, 
very  deeply  concerned  in  this  flagrant  violation 
of  the  common  rights  of  mankind,  and  that 
even  its  national  authority  is  exerted  in  fupport 
of  the  African  flave-trade,  there  is  much  rea- 
fon  to  apprehend,  that  this  has  been,  and  as 
long  as  the  evil  exifts  will  continue  to  be,  an 

occafion 


f  389  ) 

occafion  of  drawing  down  the  divine  difplea- 
fure  on  the  nation  and  its  dependencies.     May 
thefe  confiderations  induce  thee  to  interpofe  thy 
kind  endeavours  on  behalf  of  this  greatly  op- 
preffed   people,    whofe   abjea:    fituation    gives 
them    an    additional    claim    to    the    pity    and 
alTiftance  of  the  generous  mind;  inafmuch  as 
they  are  altogether  deprived  of  the  means  of 
ioliciting  effedual  relief  for  themfelves.     That 
fo  thou  may  not  only  be  a  bleffed  inftrument  ia 
the  hand  of  him  **  by  whom  kings  reign,  and 
'*  princes  decree  juftice,''  to  avert  the  awful 
judgments   by  which   the  empire  has  already 
been    fo     remarkably    fhaken,     but    that    the 
bleffmgs    of  thoufands   ready   to  perifli,    may 
come  upon  thee,  at  a  time  when  the  fuperiour 
advantages  attendant  on  thy  fituation   in  this 
world  will  no  longer  be  of  any  avail  to  thy 
confolation  and  fupport. 

To  the  traces  on  the  fubjed:  to  which  I  have 
thus  ventured  to  crave  thy  particular  attention, 
I  have  added  fome  others,  which  at  different 
times,  I  have  believed  it  my  duty  to  publilh, 
and  which  I  truft  will  afford  thee  fome  fatif- 
facflion  ;  their  defign  being  for  the  furtherance 
of  that  univerfal  peace  and  good-will  amongfl 
men,  which  the  gofpel  was  intended  to  in- 
troduce. 

I  hope  thou  will  kindly  excufe  the  freedom 
ufed  on  this  occafion,  by  an  ancient  man,  whofe 
mind  for  more  than  forty  years  paft  has  been 
much  feparated  from  the  common  courfe  of 
the  world,  and  long  painfully  exercifed  in  the 
confideration  of  the  miferies  under  which  fo 
large  a  part  of  mankind,  equally  with  us  the 

C  c  3  objeds 


,': 


i 


(     39^    ) 
objeds  of   redeeming  love,   are   fuftering  the 
moft  unjuft  and  grievous  opprefTion,  and  who 
fincerely  defires  the  temporal  and  eternal  feli- 
city of  the  Queen  and  her  Royal  Confort. 

jiNTHONT    BENEZET. 

Philadelphia,  the  25th  of  thp  eighth  month,    1783, 


j4  "Teftimony  from  Concord  Monthly-Meeting  in 
Pennfylvania,  concerning  Phebe  Trimble. 

THE  memory  of  the  juft  is  pronounced 
'*  Bleffed;"  which  we  wifh  to  be  verified 
in  the  following  memorial  of  this  our  efteemed 
friend,  by  affording  an  excitement  to  furvivors 
to  walk  in  her  fteps. 

The  days  of  her  youth  and  early  periods  of 
maturer  age,  were  attended  with  clofe  trials, 
flripping  feafons,  and  deep  baptlfms,  through 
all  which  the  Lord,  her  gracious  helper,  (whofe 
tender  regard  is  ever  manifefted  towards  his 
humble  depending  children)  preferved  her,  and 
raifed  her  up  to  be  a  veffel  in  his  houfe.  About 
the  forty-fecond  year  of  her  age,  being  in 
1759,  file  fettled  with  her  hulband  VVilliani 
Trimble  within  the  limits  of  this  meeting,  to 
which  Ihe  was  recommended  by  certificate 
from  Goflien  monthly-meeting,  as  an  approved 
minifter,  which  characfter  (lie  juftly  retained 
during  her  ftay  in  mutability. 

Her  publick  appearances,  though  generally 
in  few  words,  were  truly  acceptable  and  edify- 


(     39^     ) 

ing,  being  clear,  pertinent,  comprehenfive, 
and  favoury,  and  accompanied  with  deep  hu- 
mility and  gravity  of  deportment.  She  was 
not  forward  in  the  exercife  of  her  gift,  but 
appeared  defirous  to  proceed  therein  under 
divine  diredion.  At  two  different  times  fhe 
vifited  friends  in  Maryland  and  Virginia,  and 
once  ill  North  and  South  Carolina,  in  which 
vifits  her  gofpel  labours  were  well  received. 

Her  common  deportment  was  inftruftive  j 
evidencing  lowlinefs,  meeknefs,  and  felf-de- 
nial  ;  that  it  may  juftly  be  faid,  her  *  adorning 
*  was  that  of  a  meek  and  quiet  fpirit.'  Her 
converlation,  though  pleafant  and  cheerful, 
was  accompanied  with  tliat  fwectncls  and 
gravity,  which  rendered  it  both  agreeable  and 
profitable.  Her  heart  and  houfe  were  open  to 
the  reception  and  entertainment  of  her  Iriends; 
nor  was  her  benevolence  and  humane  feelings 
circumfcribed  to  thofe  in  religious  communioa 
with  her;  but  the  poor,  we  believe,  of  all  de- 
nominations in  the  neighbourhood  -vhere  (he 
lived,  partook  of  her  kindnefs,  and  by  her 
removal  have  loll  a  fympathizing  friend. 

During  the  time  of  her  laft  illnefs  flie  was 
much  given  to  ftillnefs  and  retirednefs  of  mind, 
being  lometim.es  uneafy  with  friends  converfing 
on  temporal  fubjefts  in  her  prefence.  Her 
hope  and  faith  in  her  dear  Redeemer  we  believe 
did  not  f^iil  her  in  this  laft:  and  trying  period; 
though  flie  was  very  lowly  and  humble  in  her 
own  eftimation,  and  at  times  almoft  diffident 
of  her  being  worthy  of  divine  regard.  Thus 
in  her  cafe  may  be  applicably  revived,  the 
ancient    interrogation,      *'    If    the     righteous 

C  c  4  **  fcarcely 


(     392     ) 

•*  fcarcely  be  faved,  where  fhall  the  ungodly 
**  and  finner  appear  ?  *'  May  this  awaken 
profitable  refledtions  in  the  minds  of  all,  elpe- 
cially  the  carelefs  and  indifferent ! 

On  the  i4/>6  of  the  fixth  month,  1784,  flie 
quietly  departed  this  life,  in  the  lixty-feventh 
year  of  her  age,  and  on  the  ibth  was  buried  at 
Concord,  attended  by  many  friends  and  others, 
at  which  time  was  held  a  large  and  folemn 
meeting.  And  we  doubt  not  but  Ihe  is  gone 
from  works  to  an  happy  reward. 


A  T^ejlimonyfrom  the  Monthly -Meemg  of  friends 
of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Southern  Dillri(a:, 
concerning  John  Reynell. 

THOUGH  none  of  us  were  acquainted 
with  him  whilft  he  refided  in  Great  Bri- 
tain, the  hnd  of  his  nativity,  yet  we  have 
caufe  to  believe,  from  what  himfelf  has  ex- 
prefTed,  that  he  was  early  vifited  with  the 
offers  of  divine  love,  and  by  wifely  clofing  in 
therewith,  he  came  to  experience  prefervation 
from  many  temptations  and  allurements  where- 
with the  minds  of  unwary  youth  are  liable  to 
be  enfnared. 

To  feveral  of  his  particular  friends  he  at 
times  mentioned  fome  tranfadlions  previous  to 
his  coming  to  this  country,  which  containing 
matter  of  encouragement  to  faithfulnefs  in 
others,  we  apprehend  may  not  improperly  be 

here  infer  ted,  viz. 

When 


(     393     ) 

When  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  purpofing 
to  embark  on  a  voyage  to  Jamaica,  and  being 
thoughtful  left  he  might  lay  down  the  body  at 
that  place,  as  had  been  the  cafe  with  many,  he 
received,  as  he  believed,  a  divine  alTurance, 
that  his  life  fhould  be  preferved.  During  his 
refidence  there,  he  had  a  fight  given  him,  of  a 
grievous  calamity  by  means  of  a  violent  hurri- 
cane, to  befall  the  inhabitants  of  the  ifland  as 
a  chaftifement  for  their  iniquities,  which  came 
to  pafs  according  to  his  profpeft.  Soon  after- 
wards an  occurrence  happening,  which  occa- 
fioned  his  being  called  upon  to  give  evidence 
in  a  court  of  judicature,  he  was  required  to 
take  an  oath,  which  he  confcientioufly  refufing, 
it  proved  for  a  time  no  fmall  trial  of  his  faith- 
fulnefs ,•  and  although  he  had  few  or  none 
outwardly  to  look  to  for  ftrength  and  encou- 
ragement under  that  exercife,  he  was  neverthe- 
Icfs  favoured  to  experience  divine  fupport  to  be 
near,  fo  that  neither  threatening  nor  perfuafion 
could  prevail  on  him  to  deviate  from  our  Chrif- 
tian  teflimony  in  that  refped:.  Very  few  of 
the  members  of  our  religious  fociety  then  re- 
fided on  that  ifland,  yet  a  meeting-houfe  be- 
longing to  friends  fiill  remaining  in  Kingflon, 
he  was  not  eafy  to  omit  attending  at  the  times 
appointed  for  meeting,  though  he  fometirpes 
fat  alone  therein. 

About  the  twentieth  year  of  his  age  he  came 
to  Pennfylvania,  and  after  fettling  in  this  city, 
he  became  a  ferviceable  member  among  us, 
both  in  a  religious  and  civil  capacity,  cheerfully 
employing  his  talents,  and  much  of  his  time, 
to  beneficial  and  laudable  purpofes,  and  was 

often 


(     394     ) 
often  engaged  as  a  peace-maker  in  reconciling 
differences. 

As  an  eider,  he  approved  himfclf  in  faith- 
fulnefs  and  uprightnefs  in  the  di (charge  of  that 
important  truft,  being  well  qualified  for  the 
ftation  he  filled  A  good  example  in  diligently 
attending  our  religious  meetings,  as  long  as 
ability  of  body  permitted,  and  very  ufeful  in 
the  exercife  of  the  difcipline.  A  mun  of  inte- 
grity and  found  judgment. 

Being  favoured  with  an  affluence  of  tempo- 
ral riches,  he  endeavoured  to  fulfil  his  duty  as 
a  good  fteward,  by  liberally  communicating  of 
his  fubil.mce  to  fuch  as  ftood  in  need.  Befides 
his  repeated  ads  of  liberality  throughout  the 
courfe  of  his  life,  the  many  charitable  legacies 
he  bequeathed  by  his  will,  are  further  proofs  of 
his  benevolent  difpofition.  So  that  we  believe 
it  may  juflly  be  faid,  he  was  one  that  **  Feared 
**   Cod,  and  hated  covetoufncfs." 

In  the  fpring  of  the  year  1784,  his  natural 
ftrcngth  evidently  impairing,  he  beheld  the 
profpeft  of  his  approaching  diflblution,  with 
the  ferenity  and  compofure  of  a  Chriflian; 
and  continued  gradually  declining  for  feveral 
inonths,  during  which  time  he  did  not  impart 
mucl  refprdinghis  own  fpiritual  ftate,  being 
defiroiis  to  be  more  in  fubftance  than  (hew,  yet 
foar-i  it  needful  to  keep  up  a  fteady  watch, 
until  hi^  warfare  fliould  be  accomplifhed.  Two 
friends  vifiting  him  one  evening,  he  mentioned, 

*  Th^t  on  looking  over  his  pafl  life,   he  was 

*  fenfible  of  many  deficiencies,*  yet  exprefled 

*  A  hope  that   all  would  be  well.'      On  the 
evening  previous  to  his  departure,  he  faid,  *  I 

*  am 


(     395     ) 

*  am  ready,  I  feel  myfelf  happy,  and  furround- 

♦  ed  with  divine  glory  /  and  expired  the  3^/  of 
the  ninth  month,  1784,  aged  feventy-fix  years. 
His  corps  being  interred  the  day  following  in 
friends  burying-ground  in  this  city;  a  folem- 
nity  covered  the  minds  of  many  at  the  grave, 
which  was  truly  confolatory* 


^  Tejlimony  from  New- Garden  Monthly-Meet^ 
ing  in  Pennfylvania,  concerning  William 
^7//^  Katharine  Jackson. 

npHEY  were  born  in  Ireland;  came  into 
^  this  country  with  their  parents,  and  fet- 
tled within  the  limits  of  New-Garden  meeting:. 
About  the  year  1733,  they  were  joined  in  mar- 
riage, proving  true  help-meets  to  each  other; 
and  as  they  advanced  in  age,  grew  in  grace,  and 
a  qualification  for  fcrvice  in  the  church  in  the 
prime  of  life,  being  of  a  meek  and  inoffjnfive 
difpofition ;  well  beloved,  and  truly  ufeful 
members  in  the  meeting  to  which  they  belong- 
ed ;  in  dealing  with  offenders,  endeavouring  to 
convince  and  reftore,  yet  careful  that  the 
teflimony  of  truth  might  be  preferved  blame- 
lefs. 

Notwithflanding  their  beginning  in  the 
world  was  fmall,  a  blefling  attending  their  in- 
duftry  and  frugality,  they  got  a  comfortable 
fubfiilence  for  themfelves,  and  to  bring:  up  their 
family ;  cheerfully  and  kindly  entertaining 
many  friends  in  thcfe  early  days,  and  having  a 
near  fympadiy  with  the  mefiengers  and  fervants 

of 


(■ 


(     396     ) 

of  the  Lord,  who  were  tried  and  proved  with 
humbling  baptizing  feafons,  were  often  en- 
abled to  fpeak  a  word  of  comfort  and  en- 
couragement to  fuch ;  afFedlionate  and  helpful 
to  thofe  in  afflidion  ;  charitable  and  confiderate 
to  the  poor  i  many  partaking  of  their  bounty, 
they  were  nearly  nnited  with  friends. 

Their  care  over  their  family,  and  concern  to 
bring  up  their  children  in  plainnefs,  fimplicity, 
induftry,  and  the  attendance  of  religious  meet- 
ings, was  great.  Katharine,  through  weaknefs 
and  infirmity,  particularly  in  old  age,  often  en- 
dured much  pain  in  riding  to  meetings ;  yet 
when  there,  her  folid  innocent  countenance 
and  deportment  therein  were  edifying.  When 
near  her  end,  during  feveral  weeks  painful  fick- 
nefs,  (he  retained  her  innocent  fweetnefs  of 
difpofition,  expreffing  refignation  to  her  allot- 
ment ;  often  advifing  her  children,  and  thofe 
about  her,  to  live  in  love.  Some  of  her  lafl 
expreflions  that    could    be   underftood,   were, 

*  There  is  reft  and  peace  prepared  for  me,  where 

*  I  fhall  fing  hallelujahs  to  the  higheft  !*  And 
after  a  little   paufe,  fud,  *  Thy  fweetnefs,  O 

*  Lord  !  is  great.'  She  quietly  departed  the 
2^  of  the  fourth  month,  1781,  in  the  fixty- 
cighth  year  of  her  age,  and  on  the  5^/6  was  in- 
terred in  friends  burying-ground  at  New-Gar- 
den. 

William  was  fupported  under  the  trial  of  this 
reparation,  with  becoming  refignation  to  the 
divine  will ;  having  through  life  been  an  exam- 
ple of  punduality,  juftice,  temperance,  and 
brotherly  kiadnefs. 


(     397    ) 

On  account  of  bodily  infirmity,  which  at 
times  made  riding  hard  to  bear,  he  often  went 
on  foot,  when  above  feventy-five  years  of  age, 
upwards  of  four  miles  to  meeting;  his  faith- 
fulnefs  and  example  wherein,  the  becoming 
manner  of  his  fitting  there,  evidencing  a  watch- 
ful folid  frame  of  mind,  was  very  inftruftive. 
On  the  the  22^'of  the  tenth  month  1785  (hav- 
ing been  for  fome  time  much  confined  at  home) 
he  was  taken  ill,  and  though  affli<5led  with 
much  pain  of  body,  his  underftanding  was 
preferved  found,  and  faculties  clear.  In  the 
morning  of  the  23^  to  two  of  his  children  he 
faid,    *   There  is  always  fomething  comes  to 

*  take  us  out  of  the  world,  and  if  we  are  but 

*  prepared  it  is  the  lefs  matter/  one  of  them 
expreffing  a  hope  that  he  did  not  feel  any 
thing  to  the  contrary ;  he  replied  *  No,  no,  I 

*  do  not;  I  have  a  comfortable  hope  and  belief 

*  that  all  will  be  well.'  Remarking  fome  little 
time  after,  on  the  fettlement  of  his  affairs,  his 
fmall  beginning,  and  how  he  had  been  favoured 
through  life;  he  exprefled  his  concern  and 
fympathy  for  divers  friends  in  ftraitened  cir- 
cumftances,  and  that  he  had  been  much  exer- 
cifed  at  times  on  account  of  many  in  fociety 
who  appeared  forward  and  zealous,  but  through 
negledt  or  mifmanagement  of  their  outward  af- 
fairs, had  miniftered  caufe  of  reproach;  ob- 
ferving,  that  it  was  wifdom  not  to  appear  in 
fhew  more  than  in  fubftance,  either  in  our  re- 
ligious or  temporal  concerns.  The  night  of 
the  25M  he  communicated  to  fome  of  his  chil- 
dren much  feafonable  and  heart-tendering  ad- 
vice ;  recommending  above  all  things  to  flrive 

for 


'J 


(     396     ) 

of  the  Lord,  who  were  tried  and  proved  with 
humbling  baptizing  feafons,  were  often  en- 
abled to  fpeak  a  word  of  comfort  and  en- 
couragement to  fuch;  affeftionate  and  helpful 
to  thofe  in  afflidlion  ;  charitable  and  confiderate 
to  the  poor;  many  partaking  of  their  bounty, 
they  were  nearly  nnited  with  friends. 

Their  care  over  their  family,  and  concern  to 
bring  up  their  children  in  plainnefs,  fimplicity, 
induftry,  and  the  attendance  of  religious  meet- 
ings, was  great.  Katharine,  through  weaknefs 
and  infirmity,  particularly  in  old  age,  often  en- 
dured much  pain  in  riding  to  meetings ;  yet 
when  there,  her  folid  innocent  countenance 
and  deportment  therein  were  edifying.  When 
near  her  end,  during  feveral  weeks  painful  fick- 
nefs,  (he  retained  her  innocent  fwectncfs  of 
difpofition,  expreffing  refignation  to  her  allot- 
ment ;  often  advifing  her  children,  and  thofe 
about  her,  to  live  in  love.  Some  of  her  laft 
expreflions   that    could    be   underftood,   were, 

*  There  is  reft  and  peace  prepared  for  me,  where 

*  I  fhall  fing  hallelujahs  to  the  higheft  !'  And 
after  a  little   paufe,  faid,  *  Thy  fweetnefs,  O 

*  Lord  !  is  great.'  She  quietly  departed  the 
2^/ of  the  fourth  month,  1781,  in  the  fixty- 
cighth  year  of  her  age,  and  on  the  5M  was  in- 
terred in  friends  burying-ground  at  New-Gar- 
ien, 

William  was  fupported  under  the  trial  of  this 
feparation,  with  becoming  refignation  to  the 
divine  will ;  having  through  life  been  an  exam- 
ple of  punduality,  juftice,  temperance,  and 
brotherly  kiadnefs. 


(    397    ) 
On  account  of  bodily  infirmity,  which  at 
times  made  riding  hard  to  bear,  he  often  went 
on  foot,  when  above  feventy-five  years  of  age, 
upwards  of  four  miles  to  meeting;   his  faith- 
fulnefs    and  example   wherein,   the    becoming 
manner  of  his  fitting  there,  evidencing  a  watch- 
ful  fohd  frame  of  mind,  was  very  inftruftive. 
On  the  the  22^'of  the  tenth  month  1785  (hav- 
ing been  for  fome  time  much  confined  at  home) 
he   was  taken   ill,    and  though    afflidted  with 
much  pain    of  body,    his   underftandin^^   was 
preferved  found,    and   faculties  clear.     In  the 
morning  of  the  23^  to  two  of  his  children  he 
laid,    *   There  is  always  fomething  comes  to 

*  take  us  out  of  the  world,  and  if  we  are  but 

•  prepared  it  is  the  lefs  matter;'  one  of  them 
exprefllng  a  hope  that  he  did  not  feel  any 
thing  to  the  contrary;  he  replied  *  No,  no,  I 

*  do  not;  I  have  a  comfortable  hope  and  bcHef 

•  that  all  will  be  well.'    Remarking  fome  little 
time  after,  on  the  fettlement  of  his  afl^airs,  his 
Imall  beginnmg,  and  how  he  had  been  favoured 
through   life;    he   exprefl^ed   his    concern    and 
lympathy  for  divers  friends  in  ftraitened  cir- 
cumftances,  and  that  he  had  been  much  exer- 
cifed  at  times  on  account  of  many  in  fociety 
who  appeared  forward  and  zealous,  but  through 
negledt  or  mifmanagement  of  their  outward  af- 
iairs,  had  miniftered  caufe  of  reproach;  ob- 
lerving,   that  it  was  wifdom  not  to  appear  in 
jhew  more  than  in  fubftance,  either  in  our  re- 
ligious or  temporal  concerns.     The  night  of 
the  25/^6  he  communicated  to  fome  of  his  chiU 
dren  much  feafonable  and  heart- tenderin;^  ad- 
vice ;  recommending  above  all  things  to  ftrive 

for 


(     398     ) 

for  an  cverlafting  inheritance,  vvhereinto  they 
might  enter  when  done  with  time;  concluding 
in  thefe  words,  *  Love  truth,  love  one  another 

*  love  friends  and   all  good   people,    even  all 

*  mankind,  and   be  careful   to  hurt   none,  no 

*  not  the  very  meaneft,   if  ye  can  do  them  no 

*  good,  ye  fhould  do  them  no  harm.'  Then 
mentioning  the  uncertainty  of  his  continuance 
here,  gave  diredions  that  his  coffin  fhould  be 
plain,  no  polifh  or  ftain  upon  it. 

Being  very  low  on  the  28/y6,  and  apprehen- 
five  of  his  end  being  near,  he  fpoke  to  fome  of 
his  children,  defiring,  when  the  change  came, 
all  might  keep  ftill  and  quiet;  adding,  it  was 
an  awful  time,  and  ought  to  be  fo  to  thofe 
about  him.  Some  hours  after  faying  it  would 
be  a  relief  if  he  might  be  favoured  in  his 
paflagc,  his  bodily  dillrefs  being  great;   *  But 

*  I  muft  not  complain,  it  does  not  become  us 

*  to  complain ;   but  we  may  tell  each  other  of 

*  our  afflidlions  without  complaining  or  mur- 
'  muring;  for  the  Almighty  has  been  good  to 

*  me  in  my  afflidion,  fo  that  we  have  great 

*  caufe  to  love  him.'     A  few  hours  after  faid, 

*  What  manner  of  perfons  ought  we  to  be,  to 

*  bear  every  difpenfation  of  afflidion  and  trial 

*  that  comes  upon  us,  as  we  ought  to  do?" 
Saying  at  another  time,  *  Many  tedious  days, 

*  and  wearifome  nights  had  been  his  lot  thefe 

*  eighteen  months  part.'  His  fon  expreffing 
his  belief,  that  reft  would  be  very  acceptable, 
he  replied,  *  Yes,  an  everlafting  reft.'  On  the 
13/^  of  the  eleventh  month  he  uttered  the  fol- 
lowing fupplication,   *  O  Lord  God  Almighty ! 

*  if  it  be  thy  bleffed  will,  mitigate  my  afflic- 

*  tion. 


\ 


t 


I 


(  399  ) 

*  tion,  and  relieve  me  in  my  diflrefs  j  not  my 

*  will,  but  thine  be  done,'  And  a  little  after 
laid,  *  The  appointed  time  will  come,   and  it 

*  muft  be  waited  for,  he  knows  beft  the  right 

*  time;  his   wifdom  is  very  great,    and  care 

*  and  providence  over  his  poor  creatures  very 
'  great  indeed.'  To  one  of  his  children,  tak- 
ing leave  of  him,  he  faid,  in  fubftance,  ♦  There 
'  is  great  corruption    in    the  world   amongft 

*  mankind,  and  need  there  is  of  care  in  bring- 

*  ing  up  young  children,  and  young  people,  to 
reftrain  them ;  for  many  are  running  as  the 

*  wild  afles  upon  the  mountains.'  A  few  days 
before  he  departed  he  faid,  '  It  is  a  comfort  to 

*  me  to  have  my  children  with  me,  and  it  may 

*  be  a  fatisfadtion  to  them  to  fee  me  go  j  I  feel 

*  eafy  in  mind  on  looking  backward  and  for- 

*  ward,  I  fee  nothing  in  my  way,  the  Lord 

*  has  been  good  to  us,  and  efpecially  to  me  in 

*  my  afflidion.'  Much  more  he  exprefled  at 
fundry  times,  continuing  fenfible,  but  gradu- 
ally weakening,  he  departed  this  life  on  the 
24.t/j  of  the  eleventh  month,  1785,  in  the 
eighty-firft  year  of  his  age,  having  been  an 
elder  upwards  of  forty  years,  and  having  ruled 
well  was  worthy  of  double  honour,  his  memo- 
ry being  of  good  favour.  On  the  27^6  he  was 
interred  in  friends  burying-ground  at  New- 
Garden,  attended  by  a  large  number  of  people, 
with  whom  a  folid  meeting  was  held. 


Ssme 


(    400     ) 

Some  expreffions  c/ Joseph  Husband,  before 
and  in  his  laft  /icknefs,  read  and  approved  in 
the  Monthly-Meeting  of  Friends  at  Deer- 
Creek  in  Maryland,  and  directed  to  be  for^ 
warded  to  the  Weftern  ^arterly-Meeting. 

A  CONSIDERABLE  time  before  his  de- 
•^^  ceafe,  when  in  health,  he  fometimes  men- 
tioned to  his  friends,  and  frequently  to  his 
wife,  his  profpedl  that  his  time  would  not  be 
long  here  ;  and  in  or  near  his  laft  ficknefs  told 
her  that  he  felt  eafy,  and  believed  he  rtiould 
foon  be  taken  from  her.  Some  days  before  his 
death  he  appeared  exceeding  low  in  mind,  at- 
tended with  many  doubts  refpeding  his  pall 
and  then  fituation,  remaining  feveral  days  in 
great  dirtrefs;  after  which  it  pleafed  the  Lord 
to  manifcft  himfelf  to  him  in  fo  extraordinary 
a  manner,  that  his  wife  perceiving  a  change, 
allced  him  how  he  was ;  he  anfwered,  I  am 
better  than  I  expeded  ever  to  be,  my  mind 
is  now  relieved,  and,  as  a  morning  without 
clouds,  all  appears  fun-fliine,  mentioning  to 
her  and  a  friend  prefent,  many  trials  and 
temptations  he  had  experienced  ;  at  another 
time  faying,  deep  has  been  the  baptifm  I  have 
paffed  through,  my  foul  both  been  dipped  in  a 
feeling  fenfe  of  the  ftate  of  unbelievers,  yea,  I 
have  pafled  through  the  valley  of  the  (hadow 
of  death,  which  I  am  now  convinced  we  muft 
do  before  we  can  experience  a  glorious  refur- 
redlion  unto  eternal  life.  And  frequently  faid. 
My  dear,  I  feel  thy  fympathy  and  love,  and 
ah  !  how  precious  do  I  feel  the  unity  of  the 

church; 


(     401     ) 

|P  church ;  often  mentioning  divers  of  his  near 
friends,  and  continuing  in  a  fweet  frame  of 
•  mind,  not  complaining  of  pain  (though  the 
nature  of  his  difcafe  muft  have  occafioned 
much)  his  countenance  remaining  ferene  and 
pleafint  to  the  laft;   a  few  minutes  before  his 

.  death  he  fpoke  to  this  purpofe,  *  Give  my  dear 

*  love   to  friends,  and   tell   them  I  die  in   the 

*  faith  which  f  lived  in,  and  firmly  believe  I 

*  Hiall  foon  enter  into  the  manfions  of  eternal 

*  happinefs,  prepared  for  the  true  believers  in 

*  Chrift;  and  although  I  never  did  much  for 

*  the  caufc  and  testimony  of  truth,    I  Ihall   be 

*  with  the  believers,  and  that  is  enough." 
Soon  after  which  he  quietly  departed  this  life 
on  the  bth  day  of  the  filth  month,  1786,  about 
the  fiftieth  year  of  his  age;  being  the  next 
day  interred  in  friends  burying-ground  at 
Deer-Creek. 

To  which  the  ^arterly-Meeting  held  at  Lon- 
don-Grove,  the  2\Jl  of  the  eighth  month  1786, 
add, 

THE  foregoing  account  concerning  our 
friend  Jofeph  Huft)and,  being  communicated 
to  us,  was  read  here  and  approved;  and  from 
the  knowledge  and  fenfe  many  of  us  had  of 
him  for  a  number  of  years,  this  meeting  is  free 
to  add,  that  it  appears  he  was  born  in  Cecil 
county,  Maryland,  came  into  religious  mem- 
berftiip  with  friends  after  he  arrived  to  man's 
eftate>  having  been  convinced  of  the  principle 

D  d  of 


(       402       ) 

of  truth  while  young,  more  by  inward  convic- 
tion  than  inllrumenta!  means,  as  he  was  educated 
in  the  w^ay  of  the  epifcopal  church  (fo  called) 
and  even  when  a  lad,  had  to  pafs  through  many 
trials  under  his  father,  for  declining  that  way 
of  worlhip;  and  (as  he  related  to  his  wife  and 
others)  he  frequently  felt  great  tenderncfs  to- 
wards the  Negroe  children  with  whom  he  was 
brought  up,  from  the  profped:  of  their  ftate  of 
ilavery,  which  much  affeded  him  at  times  be- 
fore he  was  ten  years  of  age.  He  conduded  with 
reputation  and  ftability  asa  ufeful  friend,  mani- 
felling  a  lively  unlhaken  concern  for  the  main- 
tenance of  our  difcipline,  the  furtherance  of 
our  teftimony  againlt  an  hireling-minirtry,  and 
flave-holding,  as  well  as  for  the  dodrine  of 
peace,  efpecially  through  the  difhculties  which 
occurred  in  the  late  times  of  publick  requi- 
fitions  for  thepurpofes  of  war;  fhewing  Chrif- 
tian  fortitude,  humility,  and  refignation,  under 
fufferings  and  clofc  trials  of  different  kinds 
which  fc-11  to  his  lot.  Some  time  ^lefore  his 
deceale  he  appeared  in  publick  teltimony,  in 
which  he  was  not  forward,  but  moltly  brief, 
pertinent,  and  acceptable  to  friends;  being 
remarkably  open  to  receive  counfel  as  w^ell  as 
to  give;  we  find  the  remembrance  of  his  dil- 
pofition  and  fervice  is  fatisfacftory,  both  among 
the  members  of  the  monthly-meeting  he  be- 
longed to,  and  this  meeting. 


AhJlraB 


% 


(     403     ) 

Ahjir act  from  the  "teftimony  of  Concord  Months 

ly- Meeting,  as  read  and  approved  by  Chefter 

S^iarterly-Meeting,  held  at  Concord  the  \A,th 

of  the  fifth  month  ij'i'j,  cojicerning  our  dear 

friend  Edith  Shakples,  deceafed. 

CHE  was  born  the  i^th  day 'of  the  fifth 
month  1743;  her  parents  Nathan  and 
Rachel  Yarnall,  members  of  Middletown  par- 
ticular meeting,  having  been  careful  to  educate 
her  in  plainnefs  and  a  diligent  attendance  of 
religious  meetings,  flie  retaining  a  thankful 
remembrance  of  their  care  over  her,  has  been 
often  heard  to  blcfs  the  Lord  on  their  account, 
as  by  their  good  counfel  and  wholefome  re- 
ilraint,  they  contributed  to  her  prefervatioa 
out  of  the  vain  fafliions  and  cuftoms  of  the 
world. 

By  her  own  account,  her  mind  was  early  in 
life  accc>4^panicd  with  earneft  defires  after  the 
knowledge  of  truth,  and  that  flie  might  never 
do  any  thing  to  offend  him  whom  ihe  often 
found  near  to  her  comfort,  or  that  might  brin^y 
a  reproach  on  the  profeffion  flie  made;  but 
giving  way  to  her  natural  vivacity,  flie  fre- 
quently indulged  herfelf  in  what  with  fome  is 
accounted  innocent  paftime,  for  which  flie  was 
often  brought  under  condemnation  ;  and  about 
the  twenty-fourth  year  of  her  age  was  plunged 
into  great  diftrefs,  being  clofcly  befet  with  the 
wiles  of  an  unwearied  adverfary  ;  but  the  Lord, 
who  will  not  fuffcr  his  people  to  be  tempted 
beyond  what  they  through  his  grace  are  enabled 


D  d  2 


to 


4€ 


€€ 


(     4^4    ) 

to  bear,  made  way  for  her  elcape  from  under 
the  power  of  temptation,  for  which  (lie  had,  in 
that  day,  as  on  the  banks  of  deliverance,  to 
fing  to  the  praife  of  his  holy  name;    laying, 

*  It  is  in  my  heart  to  praife  thee,   O  my  deh- 

*  verer  !    for  thy  manifold  kindnefles  unto  me 

*  a  poor  unworthy  worm;   for  although,   for 

*  difobedience,  thou  haft  ken  meet  to  hide  thy 

*  face  for  a  moment;    yet  my  foul  is  humbly 

*  bowed  before  thee,  rendering  unto  thee  the 

*  praife  of  all  thy  works;  having  witncffed  the 
fulfilling  of  thy  promife.'   **  But  with  ever- 

lafting  kindnefs  will  I  have  mercy  on  thee, 

faith  the  Lord  thy  Redeemer/' 

In  the  twenty-fixth  year  of  her  age  flic  was 
married  to  Jolliua  Sharpies,  fettled  within  the 
compafs  of  New-Garden  monthly- meeting, 
of  which  file  became  a  ufeful  member,  being 
qualified  for  fervice  in  the  church,  whereto  flie 
attended  with  much  fatisfadion  to  friends, 
filling  the  ftations  of  overfeer  and  elder  with 
diffidence  under  a  fenft  of  the  weight  thereot". 

In  the  thirty-firft  year  of  her  age  ihe  ap- 
peared in  the  miniftry,  and  being  faithful, 
grew  in  her  gift,  was  found  in  doctrine,  ac- 
companied with  a  degree  of  heart-tendering 
authority  to  the  carelefs  and  indolent,  yet  edi- 
fying and  confolitary  to  the  rcfrelhment  of  the 
mourners  in  Zion.  In  her  approaches  to  the 
throne  of  grace  in  publick  fupplication,  fhe 
was  awfully  attended  with  deep  folemnity. 

She  was  a  great  lover  of  the  fcriptures,  and 
well  qualified  to  apply  them  to  edification  and 
inftrudion,  being  concerned  to  invite  friends 

and 


1 


(  405  ) 
and  others  to  a  more  frequent  reading  of  them. 
The  dodrines  of  the  principle  of  truth  as  held 
by  friends  (he  was  Ikilful  in  explaining,  and 
was  often  exercifed  therein  in  mixed  auditories, 
endeavouring  to  lead  out  of  forms  to  the  fub- 
ftance  of  true  religion.  Much  of  her  time 
was  thus  employed  in  the  publick  fervice  of 
her  Lord  and  Mafter,  cheerfully  giving  up  to 
his  holy  requirings,  but  carefully  concerned  to 
wait  for  his  putting  forth. 

Having  peculiar  fervice  in  vifiting  families, 
Ihe  was  often  ufefully  engaged  therein ;  and 
about  the  year  1778,  with  divers  other  friends 
under  appointment  from  the  Weftern  quarterly- 
meeting,  in  a  general  vifit  to  all  the  meetings 
belonging  thereto,  ilie  was  exercifed  under  a 
deep  concern  to  labour  that  a  reformation  ia 
life  and  manners  might  be  really  eftedted 
amongft  the  profeffors  of  truth.  Soon  after, 
being  removed  within  the  compafs  of  our 
meeting,  ilie  engaged  in  a  like  vifit  to  the 
meetings  in  our  quarter,  wherein,  as  in  other 
of  her  gofpel  labours,  fhe  manifefted  an  ardent 
defire  for  the  promotion  of  the  caufe  of  truth, 
and  that  fhe  might  be  favoured  to  do  her  day's 
work  in  the  day-time.  And  fince,  with  the 
concurrence  of  friends,  vifited  moft  of  the 
meetings  in  the  Southern  governments  ;  being 
diligent  in  the  improvement  of  her  time  for 
the  fervice  of  truth,  often  drawn  into  family 
vifits,  and  to  the  afflided  either  in  body  or 
mind,  who  experienced  the  confoling  fympa- 
thy  of  her  tender  fpirit,  in  which  and  other 
gofpel  labours  ihe  reaped  the  reward  of  peace 

and 


(    4o6     ) 

and  comfort  to  her  own  mind.  Wlien  at  home 
fhevvas  not  only  diligent  in  attending  meetings 
herlelf,  but  careful  to  encourage  an"d  ailift  her 
family  in  their  duty  therein;  in  herfelf  an  ex- 
ample of  plainncfs,  and  mindful  to  promote  a 
like  fimplicity  in  thofc  under  her  direction, 
manifefting  much  concern  that  her  children 
might  be  brought  up  in  the  truth,  frequently 
retiring  with  them  for  their  improvement,  her 
faithfulnefs  againft  wrong  things  in  them  be- 
ing confillent  with  the  tendernefs  of  an  affec- 
tionate mother.  Great  was  her  exercife  for  the 
rifing  generation,  that  their  hearts  might  be 
early  dedicated  to  the  Lord,  and  they  thereby 
preferred  in  a  condudl  confiftent  with  our  holy 
profeffion.  Open  and  liofpitable  in  her  houfe, 
a  true  help-meet  and  affectionate  wife. 

Shortly  after  her  return  from  a  vifit  to  friends 
on  the  Eaftern-Shore  of  ^Maryland,  in  the  fixth 
month,  1786,  file  was  brought  very  low  through 
bodily  indifpohtion,  but  favoured  with  inward 
confolation  and  true  peace,  expreffing  that  ilie 
felt  her  mind  much  weaned  from  the  things  of 
this  world,  and  if  it  ihould  pleafe  the  Lord  to 
call  her  hence,  ihe  found  nothing  in  her  way. 
On  a  firft-day  afternoon,  divers  friends  being 
prefent,  after  a  time  of  filence,  (he  fpoke  to 
thiseffe(fl,   '  I  am  glad  of  this  opportunity;  as 

*  I  lay  on  the  bed  this  morning,  my  mind  was 
'  carried  away  to  meeting  widi  friends,  and  I 

*  thought  if  I  had  wings,  I  could  have  iiown 

*  thither  for  the  great  love  I  feel  for  the  mem- 

*  bers  of  that  meeting.     Indeed  we  have  had 
I  many  favoured  opportunities  together;  and 

*  you 


(     407     ) 

*  you  fee  I  am  in  a  poor  weak  way,  and  whe- 
'  ther  I  fliall  get  out  again  I  have  not  feen,  but 

*  am  refigned,  and  feel  the  reward  of  peace; 

*  but  if  fome  friends  of  that  meeting  are  not 

*  more  faithful  to  the  many  gracious  vifitations 
'  which  have  been  in  mercy  to  them  extended, 

*  weaknefs  will  overtake  them,  and  they  be  in 

*  danger  of  miffing  the  anfwer  of.  Well  done.' 
She  recovered,  and  ^after wards  had  many  heart- 
tendering  opportunities  with  friends  there,  and 
others  not  in  memberfl:iip  with  us,  toward 
whom  ihe  was  remarkably  led  in  teftimony,  in 
order  that  they  might  be  gathered  to  the  fold  of 
reft. 

About  two  weeks  before  her  deceafe,  flie  at- 
tended feveral  of  the  neighbouring  meetings, 
expreffing  her  latisfadtion  therewith;  and  on 
the  firft-day  before  her  departure,  was  at  New- 
Garden  meeting,  and  had  acceptable  fervice, 
having  alfo  a  favoured  opportunity  the  fame 
evening  in  a  friend's  family  where  flie  lodged 
on  her  return  home,  at  which  time  fhe  was 
concerned  to  revive  thefe  expreffions  of  the 
Pfalmift,  ''  Lord,  make  me  to  know  mine  end, 
**  and  the  meafure  of  my  days,  what  it  is,  that 
*'  I  may  know  how  frail  I  am:  behold  thou 
*'  haft  made  my  days  as  an  hand's  breadth,  and 
'*  mine  age  is  as  nothing  before  thee."  Which 
file  enlarged  on  to  edification.  Next  day  fhe 
got  homefomewhat  indifpofed,  but  held  up  till 
the  day  following  in  the  evening  of  the  i6t6  of 
the  firft  month,  1787,  when  fhe  was  confined 
to  her  bed,  and  lay  in  a  fen fible  refigned  frame 
of  mind,  being,  as   we   believe,  well  prepared 

for 


(    4o8     ) 

for  her  awful  change,  appearing  to  have  noth- 
ing to  do  but  to  die.  Some  of  the  laft  words 
flie  was  heard  to  fay  were,  ^  I  believe  I  am 
*  going,*  and  in  about  fifteen  minutes  after, 
quietly  breathed  her  laft  on  the  i^tb,  and  on 
the  20th  was  interred  at  Birmingham,  aged 
forty-three  years  and  feven  months,  a  minifter 
upwards  of  12  years. 


FINIS, 


BOOKS  Printed  for  J.  Phillips,  George- Yard, 

Lombard-Street, 

MISCELLANIES,  Moral  and  Inftruaive,  in  Profe 
and  Vcrfe ;  colleclcd  from  various  Authors,  for  the  Vk  of 
SchooL,  and  improvement  of  Young  Perlbns  of  both  Sexes. 
2s.  in  boards.     2S.  6d,  bound, 

FRUITS  OF  SOLITUDE,  in  Refleaions  and  Max- 
ims, relating  to  the  Conduct  of  Human  Life.  By  William 
Pcnn.     IS.  6d. 

FRUITS  of  a  FATHER'S  LOVE,  being  the  Advice  of 
William  Penn  to   his  Children,  relating  to  their  Civil  and 
Religious  Conduct.     6d. 

SELECT  POEMS,  Sec.  occafionally  wrote  on  various 
Subjects.  To  which  is  now  added.  The  Hiftory  of  the  Pro- 
phets Elijah  andEliiba,a  Poem,  By  John  Fry.  Bound  is6d. 

A  NARRATIVE  of  the  Captivity  and  Sufferings  of 
Benjamin  Gilbert  and  his  Family  ;  who  were  furprifed  by  the 
Indians,  and  taken  from  their  Farms,  on  the  Frontiers  of 
t^cnnfylvania,  in  the  Spring,  1780.     is. 


fcrku'».>  ■  ■g»-;A*"      * '.  >-■>■■  —J  j.^x 


:iiMiii:^ 


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